Chapter 391 The Steam Engine and the Imperial Examination System
Makimura didn't know Takigawa.
Seeing Ogata frowning at Takigawa, Makimura turned his head in the direction of Ogata and asked Ogata in a low voice:
"Brother Ogata, do you know him?"
"... Let's just say we don't know each other, but it's not a very friendly acquaintance."
Although when he saw Ogata frowning, Makimura roughly guessed that even if Ogata and this samurai he didn't know knew each other, the relationship would definitely not be good.
But after hearing Ogata personally admit that his relationship with this person was not a friendly one, Makimura's face was still filled with uncontrollable bitterness.
"That man's clothes seem to be made of high-quality silk from the 'Sendai Pira'. He seems to be a very high-status samurai. How did you get into trouble with these high-ranking samurai..."
The name "Sendai Ping" is known to everyone.
In the words of modern earth, "Sendai Ping" is a well-known brand.
A brand specializing in high-end silk.
Because of its excellent quality, "Sendai Ping" has become one of the tributes specially paid to the royal family and the general's family.
Those who can use "Sendai Ping" in this era are all wealthy families.
Makimura had worked as a maid in Kyoto for five years and met many rich and powerful families.
Because he is a person who has seen the world, he naturally has a good vision, so he can tell at a glance that the clothes worn by this samurai whom he does not know are high-end goods that ordinary samurai cannot wear.
Different from the day before yesterday when they first met at Yoshiwara's house, Takigawa was wearing a black haori with a straight-striped hakama.
The sword on his waist was also different from the one Ogata saw the day before yesterday.
The handles and hilts of the swords and wakizashi are inlaid with decorative silver ornaments, which look extremely gorgeous.
Because they are so gorgeous, people wonder whether these two knives have actual combat value.
Although Ogata was not like Makimura who could recognize at a glance that the clothes Takigawa wore were made of high-grade "Sendai Pira" fabrics, he could still tell that the clothes he wore were not of ordinary quality.
With fairly handsome facial features, a clean and tidy Tsukiyo head, coupled with gorgeous clothes and an exquisitely shaped sword, he looks dignified, and the aura emanating from his body seems to proudly announce to everyone that he is a samurai.
identity of.
And his impressive outfit really attracted a lot of attention to him.
Many passers-by who passed by him turned back to look at Takigawa with various emotions.
Men's eyes are mainly filled with surprise, jealousy and envy.
The women's eyes were less filled with jealousy and envy, but instead filled with many other emotions.
Takigawa is not alone.
Behind him were many people who seemed to be Takigawa's friends.
Ogata counted and found that there were 13 people in the group following Takigawa.
After frowning and looking at Takigawa who suddenly appeared, Oumi calmly lowered his body's center of gravity slightly, and was ready to unsheath his sword at any time.
The day before yesterday, I had caused a big embarrassment to Takikawa at the house.
In this era where samurai generally value honor and face, if an outsider accidentally touches the samurai's shoulder when passing by, the samurai may draw his sword and kill him.
Therefore, the possibility that Takigawa drew his sword and struck Ogata in order to avenge the day before yesterday is still very high.
Although Makimura didn't know what happened between Ogata and this person, after learning from Ogata that his relationship with this person was not a friendly one, he silently raised his guard, like Ogata
Then he lowered his body's center of gravity slightly and stared directly at Takigawa and the others.
While Ogata stared closely at Takigawa, he also used the corner of his eye to observe Tsujiban not far away.
The six officers guarding the main gate of Tsujiban looked at them with strange eyes.
At the same time, they silently clenched the thorns in their hands.
Looking at their appearance, it is not difficult to imagine that if Ogata, Takigawa and others had a conflict, these officials would definitely rush to arrest them without saying a word.
While Ogata stared closely at Takigawa, Takigawa also stared closely at Ogata.
When the companions behind Takigawa who didn't know what was happening saw this, they wondered to Takigawa:
"Takigawa-kun, what's wrong?"
"……nothing."
Takigawa looked at Ogata, then at the registration area for the "Gozen Trial Match" next to Ogata, and then
"Are you also here to sign up for the 'Imperial Trial Match'?"
"That's right." There was nothing to hide about this kind of thing, so Ogata admitted it happily.
After continuing to stare at Ogata with complicated eyes for a while, he said nothing and ignored Ogata, and passed by Ogata with his companions behind him.
Ogata and Makimura watched Takigawa and others leave.
Only after Takigawa and his gang turned a corner and completely disappeared from their field of vision did the two of them slowly adjust their body weight, which had been lowered.
As soon as the two of them looked away from the direction where Takigawa and the others disappeared, they heard an unhappy voice coming from beside them:
"It's scary... I thought you two were going to fight with those people just now..."
The person who spoke was the official responsible for checking whether the applicants were fugitive and wanted criminals.
"Sorry for shocking you."
As soon as Ogata finished his apology, another official sitting next to him pouted at Tsujiban next to him and said to Ogata:
"Fortunately, you didn't start a fight just now. If you had a fight just now, you would both be arrested and thrown into jail."
"If you are both caught and thrown into jail, you two will definitely suffer."
"I know the group of people just now. They are all a group of Hatamoto samurai. They have a big family and a big business."
"They go to jail in the morning and get out of jail in the afternoon with the help of their families."
"Although I don't know what's going on between you and them, it's better for you to stay away from them and not to provoke them."
After giving Ogata some kind reminders, the official showed Ogata a piece of paper that he had been writing on since the beginning, and it was covered with many words and looked like a document.
"Put it away. Don't lose it. This thing is proof of your identity."
"At five o'clock in the morning seven days later, take this document to the Kitamachi Office."
"After confirming your identity, a special official will take you to the assessment location for the literary test."
"Remember not to be late."
After briefly explaining some of the key points of the "Imperial Trial Combination" to Ogata, the official handed the document-like paper to Ogata.
"Thank you." Ogata took the paper and scanned the words on the paper.
There was nothing extra written on this piece of paper, just Ogata's name, age, martial arts school, household registration and other important information were written. There was a big red seal in the lower left corner of the paper.
After confirming that the ink was dry, Ogata solemnly took the piece of paper into his arms.
"Let's go, Makimura."
After greeting Makimura, Oubon took the lead and walked away from the registration point.
Makimura walked a few steps quickly, and after catching up with Ogata, he asked Ogata:
"Come to think of it, brother Ogata, are you confident that you can pass the literary test? If you can't even pass the literary test, you won't even be qualified to take part in the martial arts test."
As soon as Makimura finished speaking, Oufang said angrily:
"If I didn't have the confidence to pass the literary test, then I wouldn't be so enthusiastic about participating in the Imperial Examination."
As early as the day before yesterday, when he and Omachi were wandering around Edo Castle, looking for information about the "Gozen Examination", Ogata learned what the content of the literary examination was from the mouths of passers-by.
The content of the literary test is to write papers.
But it’s not something like writing eight-legged essays.
Instead, do fill-in-the-blank questions.
Hollow out the important contents in some sentences in the Four Books and Five Classics, and then fill in the hollowed out contents.
This is the whole content of the literary test, fill in the blanks.
There are a total of 100 sentences in the test. If you answer half of the sentences correctly, that is, if you answer 50 questions correctly, you will be considered as passing the literary test and can enter the following martial arts test.
Ogata was not surprised that the literary test only included fill-in-the-blank questions.
Almost a thousand years ago, when the "Dahua Reform" was implemented and the various cultural systems of the Tang Dynasty were comprehensively studied, the imperial examination system of the Tang Dynasty was also moved to Japan.
It is a pity that when Japan implemented the imperial examination system, it happened to be during a period when the power of the aristocracy was rising sharply.
There is naturally a huge conflict between the egalitarian imperial examination system and the aristocratic tradition.
The imperial examination system did not survive long in Japan before dying out.
By the Edo period, the imperial examination system had completely disappeared.
Most people in this era don't even know what exams and writing papers mean.
In the absence of examination culture, it would be impossible to test something as extremely difficult as the eight-part essay.
There are probably less than ten people in Japan who can write eight-legged essays.
Therefore, among various types of test questions, only fill-in-the-blank questions are the most suitable.
Not only is it a good test of how well the test taker memorizes the Four Books and Five Classics, but it also allows people who have never taken the test before to quickly understand how to answer the questions.
There is no more appropriate test question than this.
As soon as Ogata finished speaking, Makimura laughed a few times.
"That's right. It seems like I asked a redundant question."
"I remember, Brother Ogata, you seemed to have told me once that you were very good at studying the Four Books and Five Classics."
Hearing Makimura's words, Ogata couldn't help but smile.
"It's okay."
…
…
"Takigawa-kun."
As soon as they turned a corner and were far away from Ogata, a young man standing behind Takigawa asked him.
"Who was that person just now? Looking at the way you two looked just now, it seems that you have a very bad relationship with that person just now."
"A ronin from Izumo... I must have had some trouble with him."
Because what happened in the residence the day before yesterday was so profound that Takigawa could not forget it even if he wanted to. To this day, Takigawa still remembers the person Izumo Ronin who made himself so embarrassed in front of so many people. It’s really
Goro Shima.
What happened to Ogata in the room the day before yesterday was not a great achievement worthy of being told to outsiders.
Therefore, Takigawa did not intend to tell his companions in detail what happened between him and Ogata.
After learning from Takigawa that the man just now turned out to be just a wanderer, the friends behind Takigawa all looked like they had lost interest.
After casually confusing the question his friend just asked, Takigawa shrugged and sneered.
"Although I had some unpleasant experiences with him, I don't intend to argue with him."
"He is just a foreigner, and I am the eldest son of the Hatamoto Takigawa family."
“Wouldn’t the value of a dignified banner drop in price if it is compared with a prodigal?”
Takigawa's words with a touch of contempt made the group of friends behind him laugh.
"You're right." The person who just asked about the relationship between Takigawa and Ogata laughed, "We are Hatakemoto, and if we are comparing ourselves to a ronin who doesn't know where he comes from, we are really worth a loss."
"What's more, we are not ordinary Hatamoto." Another friend of Takigawa echoed, "We are patriots who are determined to serve as a samurai, let alone waste our time on a mere ronin."
This friend's words deeply touched Takigawa's heart.
"That's right." Takigawa said, puffing up his chest with pride, "Instead of wasting time on these ronin, it's better to concentrate on other important things."
"Okay, let's not talk about that guy just now." Takigawa waved his hand, "We wasted some time on that guy just now, so let's hurry up and get to the tea house to start our 'joint research' today.
.”
Whether Takigawa or other friends, when the word "ronin" was mentioned, there was light or strong contempt on their faces and in their voices.
During this period, Takigawa and his group of friends gathered together almost every day to study the Four Books and Five Classics together to prepare for the subsequent "Gozen Examination" literary test.
Takigawa and others called their daily gathering to study the Four Books and Five Classics "joint study".
Takigawa and the 13 young men behind him who were also Hatamoto samurai were both friends and like-minded warriors.
And Takigawa and the others also like to call themselves "Patriots" to distinguish themselves from other samurai who are just waiting to die.
The shogunate claimed to have "80,000 bannermen", but the actual number of bannermen was actually less than 5,000.
Counting the imperial family samurai who are one level lower than the Hatamoto samurai and do not have the right to directly meet the general like the Hatamoto samurai, the total number is less than 20,000.
Although they are high-ranking samurai who report directly to the shogun, most of them have been corrupted.
As one of Hatamoto, Takigawa naturally understands the corruption of Hatamoto and the imperial family better than anyone else.
In many banners, the children of the imperial family were greedy for pleasure, and both civil and military officials were ruined.
Thinking of so many banners and how useless the imperial family's children were, Takigawa felt a sense of superiority.
Because he was not only good at both civil and military affairs, but also had lofty ambitions. He was always determined to assist the shogunate and restore the shogunate to the strength it had when Lord Ieyasu was still alive.
At this time, the 13 friends following Takigawa were also determined to serve as Takigawa.
Because they have the same ambition, they always get together like this to prepare for the subsequent "imperial trial".
They are determined to show off their talents in the "Imperial Trials" and gain the appreciation of Matsudaira Sadanobu. Then they will rise to the top and take a big step towards the goal of "Samu".
Takigawa felt an overwhelming sense of superiority when he thought that he was a leader in both civil and military affairs, a person with ideals who aimed at Samu and continued to strive for it.
If a person of his status wastes time on such a wanderer who may not even have a fixed residence, the person who will lose the most will be himself.
Of course, Takigawa asked himself that he was only doing this out of status considerations and did not want to argue too much with Ogata, who was a mere ronin. This did not mean that his resentment towards Ogata was gone.
Takigawa, who was walking in front of his friends and leading the way, subconsciously turned around and looked behind where Ogata was no longer there.
There were traces of undetectable displeasure and resentment in his eyes.
What happened in the house the day before yesterday was still vivid in Takigawa's mind.
Because of Ogata, he was humiliated in front of so many wandering girls.
Takigawa still remembers the way those wandering girls looked at him at that time.
When he recalled the way the wandering girls looked at him at that time, Takigawa felt that his resentment towards Ogata had expanded slightly.
"Speaking of which, that person who was standing there just now wanted to sign up for the 'Gozen Trial Match'?" Although Takigawa had just said not to talk about this topic anymore, someone still unconsciously started talking about Kazuo.
Party-related topics.
Takigawa nodded: "I just saw the two officials sitting behind the desk looking through the wanted posters to check whether the guy was a wanted fugitive. That guy should have signed up to participate in the 'Imperial Trial' just now."
.”
"That person must be the kind of person who is interested in the bonus." Another friend of Takigawa echoed in a contemptuous tone, "After all, he is a ronin."
"Probably so." The corners of Takigawa's mouth turned up slightly, and a faint look of contentment appeared on his face.
Hearing what his friends had just said, Takigawa felt a strong sense of superiority emerge from the bottom of his heart.
The difference in identity between myself and the guy who caused me embarrassment is as different as clouds and mud.
What does it mean to be able to recite the Analects of Confucius in Chinese? He is more than just a ronin.
Unless you can find a reliable new owner, you will have to live the rest of your life mediocrely in an inconspicuous corner like a puddle of mud.
And he is from Hatamoto, and he is not an ordinary Hatamoto disciple.
The family's salary is 3,000 shi. Although it is not the top among the banners, such a family's salary is enough to be proud of most of the banners and imperial families.
Not only does he have a superior family background, but he is also capable of both literary and martial arts. He has the lofty ambition of "serving the curtain" and his future is limitless.
Thinking of this, the unhappiness of being embarrassed by Ogata in the room subsided slightly. What made up for the reduced unhappiness was a strong sense of superiority.
This strong sense of superiority made the corners of Takigawa's mouth turn up more and more, and he couldn't help but walk a little faster.
…
…
Edo, Edo Castle.
"Sir, Mr. Lao, please forgive me for speaking frankly. All the reforms you have carried out can be described as flashy in one word."
In Edo Castle, in a certain room used by senior officials to discuss matters, the sound of people talking kept coming.
There are a total of 5 people in the room.
Although there are only five people, without exception, these five people are the five most powerful people in the shogunate besides the general.
These five people are Lao Nakamatsudaira Sadanobu and the only four remaining members of the shogunate, Wakatoshi.
If the Nian is assigned to an official position, it is only one level lower than the Lao Zhong, and there are usually 3-5 people. They manage officials outside the scope of the Lao Zhong's responsibilities, and assist the generals, so that the Lao Zhong governs the country.
It is just an extremely common thing for Lao Zhong and Ruonianji to gather together to discuss state affairs.
Today, as usual, Matsudaira Sadanobu, a senior middle school student, and four Wakatoshi brothers gathered together to start a new round of discussions on state affairs.
However, in recent times, the number of discussions held by Matsudaira Sadanobu and Wakanagi has obviously increased and become more frequent.
The reason is that Matsudaira Sadanobu has made various big and small reforms one after another in recent times.
And Wakanagi people were forced to come, either proactively or passively, to discuss in depth with Matsudaira Sadanobu the reforms that Matsudaira Sadanobu had brought about.
"Instead of carrying out these fancy reforms, it is better to focus on the areas that can really revitalize the country."
The person who spoke was none other than Kitagawa Toshiki, one of the four Ruonianzhongs.
Beichuan, who had just celebrated his 28th birthday, spoke in a low tone.
His dark eyes were full of confidence and shone with a bit of unruliness.
Let those who see it understand that these are the eyes of a doer who is determined to do practical things.
Kitagawa, who was highly regarded by his teachers and friends as an outstanding talent that was tempered by hard work and talent, leaned forward in the direction where Matsudaira Sadanobu was sitting, as if he would pounce on Matsudaira Sadanobu at any time.
appearance.
Although the status of the middle-aged and elderly people is one level higher than that of the young and middle-aged people, the seats for the five people do not have any height difference, they are just arranged in an irregular circle in an ordinary way.
After quietly listening to Beichuan's sharp speech just now, the expression on Dingxin's face did not change at all.
It was as if Beichuan's sharp accusation just now was about someone else, not himself.
After Beichuan finished speaking, Dingxin asked in a calm tone:
"Then I would like to ask Kitagawa-kun, do you have any advice on what you just said, 'concentrate and put your energy on the areas that can really revitalize the country'?"
"It's very simple! You only need to do one thing." Beichuan raised a finger, "Send envoys to the Southern Barbarian countries and conduct an in-depth investigation of the Southern Barbarian countries!"
Beichuan's words not only made Dingxin frown, but also several other Ruonianji around him also frowned.
"Can you tell me the reason?" Dingxin asked.
"Sir Lao Zhong, you should have seen the Feng Shuo post submitted by the Dutch businessman George three months ago, right?" Beichuan said solemnly, "England, one of the southern barbarian countries, has begun to use a kind of news on a large scale.
A device called a 'steam engine'."
"The rest of the Southern Barbarian countries have also begun to gradually use 'steam engines'."
"According to the legend submitted by George, a small 'steam engine' has the power of hundreds of animals. Just one 'steam engine' can increase the daily mining volume of a mine several times, even ten times.
Several times."
As soon as Beichuan finished speaking, Dingxin laughed with a strong disdain:
"Kitagawa-kun, do you believe this, which is no different from the nonsense of a three-year-old child?"
"Of course I have read the rumored letter you mentioned that was submitted by Dutch businessman Georges three months ago."
"I also remember what it said."
"It says: 'Steam engines' are powered by steam."
"Isn't this nonsense?!"
When he said this, Dingxin's volume suddenly increased several times, causing the other three Ruonianji, except Kitagawa, to shrink their necks.
"How can a mere piece of steam be as strong as a hundred animals? Not even a five-year-old would believe such nonsense."
"Master Lao Zhong!" Beichuan responded with a sonorous voice that did not lose his confidence at all, "To be honest, I am also skeptical about what George wrote in the post about the 'steam engine' being able to withstand the power of hundreds of animals.
.”
"But because we don't know whether it is true or not, we should send people to the Southern Barbarian countries to investigate!"
"If what is written in George's rumor post is correct, then the 'steam engine' is definitely a great weapon that will benefit the country and the people! We must also have a 'steam engine'!"
Although Kitagawa's tone was sincere, Matsudaira Sadanobu still looked uninterested.
"Right now, we don't have the spare money or time to investigate the Southern Barbarian countries." Matsudaira Sadanobu waved his hand impatiently, "Rather than wasting this money to investigate the Southern Barbarian countries, it would be better to use the money to investigate the movements of the Lucia Kingdom.
"
"The Lucia Kingdom is sending expeditions to Ezo Territory more and more frequently."
"Compared to the English country, the country of Lucia, which is eyeing Japan's northern gateway, is more worthy of our attention."
Seeing that Matsudaira Sadanobu showed no interest in the proposition he just made, Kitagawa's face immediately became ugly.
Just when Beichuan was about to say something more, another Ruonianji sitting next to him tugged on Beichuan's sleeve.
This person is Yoshimoto Queemon, another one of the 4 Wakatoshi.
Yoshimoto is the oldest of the five people present. He is 50 years old this year.
Not only is he the oldest one, he is also the most useless one.
He had no ability and relied solely on Zuyin to get into Ruonianji's position.
While everyone was discussing government affairs enthusiastically, he basically sat aside like a motionless doll and said nothing because he couldn't say anything meaningful.
But to say that he has no effect at all, that's not true.
When Lao Zhong had a quarrel with other young people, he was always the first to stand up and be the peacemaker.
Because he is the oldest, even Matsudaira Sadanobu will give him face as an elder, and Sadanobu will also give him face when he steps forward to be a "peacemaker".
Thanks to Yoshimoto, Edo Castle has been spared a lot of bloody disasters.
After seeing Yoshimoto using his actions and eyes to remind him not to get in trouble with Matsudaira Sadanobu again, Kitagawa pursed his lips, remained silent for a while, and then snorted coldly.
"...Forget it, let's discuss the matter of sending envoys to the southern barbarian countries later."
Kitagawa pulled his sleeve back from Yoshimoto's hand.
"Sir Lao Zhong, let's discuss the next thing." Beichuan folded his hands on his chest, "The thing we are going to discuss next is also something that I have been paying close attention to since I heard about it."
"This matter is related to the 'imperial trial match' that you insist on organizing, Mr. Lao Zhong."
After hearing the term "Gozen Trial Combination" from Kitagawa's mouth, Matsudaira Sadanobu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Lord Naka." Kitagawa cast a meaningful look at Matsudaira Sadanobu, "I recently heard such an interesting rumor from other people."
"Everyone knows that the reason why the Lao Zhong adults organized the 'Imperial Trial Combination' is to use this as an opportunity to encourage everyone to practice martial arts and revitalize the martial arts."
"But an interesting rumor has spread recently: This is just a superficial reason. It is specially used to fool some officials in the shogunate so that the 'imperial trial' can be held smoothly."
"Essentially, the Lao and Chinese adults had another purpose in holding the 'imperial trial match'."
"The real purpose of this is to accumulate experience in holding examinations and gradually find out the examination content and methods suitable for Chinese people."
"To prepare for the rebirth of the 'imperial examination system' in our country in the future."
"Sir Lao Zhong, is this rumor true or false? Can you give us a positive answer?"
The rest of Ruonianji did not show any surprise after hearing Beichuan's words.
Their calm expressions silently announced to Matsudaira Sadanobu: They also knew about this rumor.
The four Wakanagi, headed by Kitagawa, all focused their attention on Matsudaira Sadanobu.
Bathed in the gazes of these four colleagues, Matsudaira Sadanobu did not answer immediately.
He just continued to maintain his expressionless look and remained silent.
after a short moment of silence
"Hahaha." Matsudaira Sadanobu chuckled a few times, "Do you need to say this? This is of course a false rumor."
"Reviving the imperial examination system in the Tang Dynasty? What benefits will it bring to our country to revive the imperial examination system that has been extinct in our country for hundreds of years?"
"The reason why I plan to hold the 'Imperial Trials' is just to better encourage everyone to practice literature and martial arts."
"There is no other purpose."
"The rumors you have heard are nothing but malicious slander against me."
"You don't need to care."
"...It's good that Mr. Lao Zhong has no intention of resurrecting the imperial examination system." After quietly listening to what Dingxin said just now, Beichuan said in a calm tone, "The demise of the imperial examination system in our country hundreds of years ago has proven
The imperial examination system was only applicable to the Tang Dynasty and not to our country."
"We have a large number of excellent warriors and there is no need to revive the imperial examination system."
"Since Mr. Lao Zhong has said personally that your purpose of holding the 'Imperial Trial Match' is simple, then I am relieved."
I don't know why, when Beichuan said this sentence just now, he specially emphasized the tone of the words "said personally".
Matsudaira Sadanobu smiled and said nothing, lowered his head to pick up the teacup beside his knees.
When he lowered his head, there was a faint coldness in his eyes.
It's just that because he just lowered his head at this time and the coldness was fleeting, Kitagawa and others around him didn't notice the coldness in Matsudaira Sadanobu's eyes.
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