Changzhong's victory in the exam attracted more attention. Zhou Shuren was afraid that his youngest son would be plotted against, and the people from the Yong'an Mansion were a warning!
Zhou Shuren doesn't think he can rest easy as long as he is in charge. There are too many people who are ruthless when it comes to interests.
Changzhong was also very obedient. After looking at the list once, he never went out again. He rejected all the invitations and had a ready-made reason. He had to prepare for the palace examination. No one dared to disturb him, for fear that it would affect his family and cause him to bear grudge against Zhouhou Mansion for losing the top scholar.
Zhulan also learned about Yang Xiu from Changzhong. This time, Yang Xiu managed to get fifth place in the exam. She is her son's competitor.
Changyi was on vacation at home that day. After breakfast, he came to the main courtyard to talk with his mother.
Zhu Lan asked, "I heard from your father that the Ministry of Rites prepared a list?"
Chang Yi was used to his father telling his mother everything. "Yes, you also know that the Ministry of Rites is going to recruit a group of people. Now that the list is out, the Ministry of Rites has drawn up a list of candidates for inspection. There are a total of fifty people on the list."
Zhulan raised an eyebrow, "How do you know so clearly?"
Chang Yi smiled and said, "I saw it at the Right Assistant Minister's office. The Right Assistant Minister has a good relationship with his son."
In addition, his background did not involve the struggles in the Ministry of Rites, so he still had some face in front of the left and right vice ministers.
Zhulan asked, "Have you seen the list?"
Chang Yi nodded, "My son took a quick look and found that the two that Fourth Brother was familiar with were both on the list."
Zhu Lan's heart moved, "Yang Xiu, there is another person with the surname Liu, what's his name?"
Changyi remembered clearly, "Liu Mingsheng."
"Yes, that's him."
Zhulan has a good impression of Liu Mingsheng. There are men who abandon their wives for their future, and there are even more who go so far as to demote their wives to concubines. It is rare that Liu Mingsheng never leaves her!
Chang Yi smiled and said, "Liu Mingsheng made it into the top 100 this time. My son is very optimistic about him."
Zhulan thought for a moment and said, "It's not easy to draw up this list!"
Chang Yi nodded, "Anyway, it doesn't involve my son. My son spends more time watching plays. By the way, I heard that my son is going to set up a girls' academy for special studies?"
"Has the news spread?"
Chang Yi, "It has not spread to the Ministry of Rites yet and only a few people know about it."
Zhu Lan said, "I did mention it to Rong Chuan. Since the beginning of the year, more people have come to the academy to study. I want to wait until the autumn harvest to see what you think."
She told Rongchuan that she was just trying to test the waters.
Chang Yi smiled and said, "You opened a women's college first. The college was very successful and the women also proved their abilities. The Ministry of Rites did not overreact when they heard the news."
There were no male teachers in the women's college, and the men who taught were eunuchs who would not affect the girls' reputation. The emperor supported women's education, and the wives of officials would also ask teachers to teach them how to read and write, so word of mouth spread and everyone was quite accepting of it.
The next day, Zhulan went to the academy but didn't see Jiang Ling. She only saw Shao Ting by herself. "Where's your sister-in-law?"
Shao Ting blushed slightly and stammered, "My sister-in-law said that I am old and there were no elders in my family to save a dowry for me. The wood that my sister-in-law ordered has arrived, so I went to check it out."
Zhulan understood. Jiang Ling bought wood for Shao Ting to make a bed and other furniture. "Your sister-in-law treats you like her own sister."
Shao Ting felt embarrassed and touched. Ever since the Marquis' Mansion leaked the news, her sister-in-law had been busy helping her prepare a dowry. She knew the family situation well, and her eldest brother could at most come up with two hundred taels of silver. In the end, it was her sister-in-law who decided to use the silver she had saved to prepare a dowry for her.
Zhulan didn't see Jiang Ling until the afternoon. Jiang Ling said, "Dean, you're here."
Zhulan was about to go back with the newly edited book. When she saw Jiang Ling, she asked, "Have you bought the wood?"
Jiang Ling was delighted. "I bought it. Luckily I booked it early, otherwise I would not have been able to get it."
Zhulan thought for a moment and said, "The betrothal gifts prepared by our Marquis' Mansion are generous."
Jiang Ling understood, "Give the betrothal gifts to my sister. It's my intention to buy them for her as my sister-in-law."
She really loves her sister-in-law. Of course, there is also a benefit for her husband if her sister-in-law marries into the Marquis's Mansion. For long-term considerations, if her sister-in-law has a respectable status in the Marquis's Mansion, the couple can get more benefits. She understands everything in her heart.
Zhulan knew that Jiang Ling had money, and she knew how to live. Since she came to the capital, she received a monthly salary, and Zhulan sent her some gifts from time to time, so Jiang Ling had never spent much money. At the end of the year, she also had income from the farm she bought, so Jiang Ling was very wealthy.
Zhulan sat in the carriage and thought that Jiang Ling had made up her mind to prepare a dowry for Shao Ting, and even without the money added by Minghui, the dowry would be good enough.
After careful calculation, Shao Ting's dowry is better than that of many daughters of officials.
Time went to the day of the palace examination. Those who had not bet on Changzhong did not want Changzhong to take part in the examination, but it was a pity that their curse was in vain.
When everyone met the emperor, Changzhong was extremely calm. This was the time when Changzhong was least nervous. He had met the emperor and the prince so many times that he had become accustomed to it.
The emperor also called Changzhong forward and said, "Your essay, which won the first prize, is very good. I am looking forward to your performance today."
Changzhong said confidently: "Students will definitely do their best."
Other people felt jealous, but this actually reduced their tension, which was a good thing.
An hour later, the emperor had walked around and those who were quick had written a lot, but the emperor was not satisfied after reading it.
Changzhong did not write fast, as he was afraid of making typos and having to rewrite, which would not only waste time but also affect his thinking. Today, the emperor asked questions about the selection of talents by the court and how to select talents more comprehensively, etc., which actually reflected the reform of the imperial examination.
The main examination topic of the Spring Examination is not unusual, but it is not friendly to those who blindly study the eight-legged essay.
What the emperor wants to see is thought. Those who can make it to the palace examination are not stupid, even if their thoughts are restricted. Sweat broke out on their forehead.
The emperor went to deal with state affairs in the middle of the day, and the prince was not idle either, watching him. He held a newspaper in his hand. The newspaper reported on the new law. After the new law was promoted, the Ministry of Justice handled several cases to prove the goodness of the new law. In order to better promote the law, this month's newspapers are all related to the law.
The prince is not a nitpicker, but he likes to find loopholes. He thinks the law can be further amended and has a plan in mind but is not in a hurry.
The time came, the papers were placed on the table, and everyone stood up and left in order. Today, someone lost his temper and started crying as soon as he left the hall, all because he hadn't finished writing!
Chang Zhong thought quietly that reform would inevitably eliminate some people, and for the dynasty, reform was like injecting vitality into the country's destiny.
At the palace gate, Zhou Shuren left the government office early. He stood at the gate, forming an open space. His expression was so serious that people who wanted to please him did not dare to come over.
Zhou Shuren had pretty good eyesight. When he saw the long line, a smile finally appeared on his face.
Changzhong saw his father at a glance, and ran over as soon as he got out of the palace gate, "Dad, come and pick me up."
Zhou Shuren looked at his old son, feeling deeply moved, "Let's go, let's have a few drinks today."
Changzhong was afraid because his father could drink too much. "You are going to get your son drunk!"
Zhou Shuren laughed, "Yes, let's have a competition today."
Changzhong smiled and said, "Dad, you have to attend the morning court tomorrow."
Zhou Shuren, "..."