Chapter 523: The Beginning of Autumn

It is July, and summer is getting farther and farther away. In the Qinghe Garden, there are many sounds of calligraphy.

His Highness Cheng had moved to Jingshan City. In order to ensure that Princess Shang, he also gave another prince's mansion, so the vast Qinghe Garden was empty. The officials of the royal palace thought that this was the prince's old mansion, and it would be better to be empty. But Guantao obviously didn't think so. He personally found Qin Lei, hoping that the prince could fulfill the things he had planned a few years ago.

Although Qin Lei was overwhelmed by the government affairs and military affairs, when Guantao mentioned this, he agreed to Guantao's request to change Qinghe Park into a university hall, and allocated 100,000 taels of education funds to rebuild school buildings, provide food and accommodation, and even pay monthly payments.

After receiving the imperial edict from the prince, Guantao gathered dozens of private school schools scattered inside and outside the capital into Qinghe Garden. Even the gold-plated plaque of "Longwei County Prince's Mansion" was replaced with the words "Qinghe University Hall" written by the prince. There was also a couplet written by Mr. Guantao on the left and right door posts saying: "The sound of wind and rain sounds and readings are heard; the affairs of the country and family matters are concerned about everything in the world."

As soon as you enter the white marble screen wall at the entrance of the school, there is the "Yueyang Tower Inscription" that is famous all over the world, subtly affecting every scholar entering the school.

Ten years of trees, and a hundred years of education. The spring breeze turns into rain, moistening things silently.

"The beginning of autumn is the July Festival. The beginning of the building is the beginning, and the autumn is the 'pull', and things are pulled and restrained here..." The young students recited loudly with an equally young gentleman.

The neat and loud sound of reading made Guantao, who was standing quietly outside the window, feel intoxicated until he heard footsteps coming from the gate of the courtyard, reluctantly retracted his gaze, raised his index finger and placed it beside his mouth, and made a silence to the person who came.

The official in his thirties nodded and stood at the door, waiting for Guantao to come out.

When I looked at the hopeful classroom again, Guantao slowly walked out of the lush courtyard, fearing that it would disturb the students.

After walking far away from the young man, he smiled and said, "Are you still used to it?"

The visitor was Shang Dezhong, the top scholar in Enke in the 18th year of Zhaowu. He bowed and smiled and said, "Sir, I'm joking, so I'd better call him the word "Student Cao". He was imprisoned by Emperor Zhaowu because he asked Qin Lei for his last year. Although he was later rescued and most of them were restored to their posts, leaders like him could no longer be accepted by the court.

Fortunately, Qin Lei, the big tree, was already shaded enough, so he, Xin Litong, Tu Gongchun, and more than fifty Jinshi who were unwilling to stay in the court, voted for the then Prince of Longwei County.

Qin Lei naturally opened his arms to welcome them, putting out all the positions they could provide, and letting them choose... There are hundreds of positions in total, which are generally divided into three categories. The first is "outside". The south is booming and lacks young and knowledgeable talents. They can serve as deputys to the prefecture chief, such as Tongzong, Tongzhi, etc. After studying for three or five years, they can guard the Mu Mansion and benefit the people. That is to say, after a few years of internship, they can serve as the fifth-rank prefect, which is hard to find with lanterns... We have said before that those who came from common people at that time would not necessarily reach the fifth-rank in their lifetime. Xin Litong and eight or nine Jinshi chose this path.

The reason why most people don’t choose is because the latter two are more interesting. One is Tu Gongchun and his more than 20 people who joined the army. You should know that in the context of the three-legged tripod, the status of military generals is higher than that of civil officials. This is an indisputable fact... Generally speaking, whoever the country needs will rise.

But this is definitely not to say that studying is useless, because military generals are divided into different levels. A cultured general is the most promising, the most victorious, and the most respected, and is also called "Confucian general".

This is like the Huntangkou. Although they are all brothers on the road, those who are not educated can only use a knife to cut them. For example, the Mamazi, at best, will be a Haonan brother in the future. However, those who know the text and make words come up will not be so dangerous. You can be a dog-headed military advisor. If you win, it will naturally be the mastermind of the dog-headed military advisor. If you lose, it will be the result of the Mamazi's human-headed and pig-headed brain. Therefore, the chance of unlucky is minimal, and it is very likely to achieve a leap from a dog-headed military advisor to Mr. Jiang.

Therefore, it is necessary for friends who are still studying to study hard. Even if you are really ambitious, you can still take Mr. Jiang as your goal without working as hard as Brother Haonan...

Oh, or to go back to join the army. There is another benefit that is not worthy of being told by outsiders... The prince is going to fight the world. He will be familiar with him. When the revolution is victorious in the future, he will still treat us heroes who follow him badly?

Therefore, if you read a good book, you will usually be very smart. If Xin Litong and others are conservatives who pursue stability, then Tu Gongchun and others are radicals who desire achievements.

As for the remaining ten, they all went to the university and became teachers. The emperors and the palace said that they were noble and noble, but monsters like Qin Lei, Guantao, and Le Buyi kept sneering. However, no matter how much they smiled, they still had to admit that these ten Jinshi had a vicious vision, a forbearance, and a long-term plan. They were... ministers who could entrust state affairs.

Although Qin Lei and Guantao only said that this university is a place to promote Confucianism and teach and educate people, in fact, only one kind of person is cultivated here, that is, scholars, and scholars must become officials... Think about President Jiang or the Donglin Party, everything is indifferent.

But Qin Lei did not reject this ambition. He believed that without ambition, he would not be able to do anything, so he agreed to the request of these people. He also appointed Shangde as the Dusi of the Education Department... He was the top scholar and could still convince the public.

"What's wrong with Brother Wang Gao?" Although Guantao looks quite old, he is actually only three years older than Shangde.

"Students have formulated this year's recruitment plan and ask for approval." Although Shang Dezhong is the top scorer in the list, he admires Mr. Guantao's knowledge and ability. If it is not too eye-catching, it is possible to become a disciple, so he is very respectful.

After taking it, he quickly looked through it. Guantao's brows frowned involuntarily, which made Shang Dezhong feel nervous and thought to himself: 'The first time he did such an important job, don't mess it up.' Thinking of this, he blurted out: "But there is anything wrong, the teacher said it, and the students will modify it." Although he has a high education and is not young, he is still a rookie after all, and he does not have that strong confidence.

"Well," Guantao raised his head, saw his nervous look on his face, and laughed: "Your idea is very good. Indeed, only if you recruit students across the country can Qinghe University become the real highest institution of Daqin."

Although he knew that he wanted to resign first, Shang Dezhong's expression was much more relaxed. He only heard the temple minister slowly say: "But the mansion can't get the extra 100,000 taels, so let's wait next year."

Shang Dezhong couldn't help but said angrily: "Only this year, it's better to spend more money in the future. Sir, please be proud. Students know that there is still a balance in this year's budget."

In fact, this is a taboo, but Guantao is a guy with no taboos. To put it nicely, it is the prime minister's ambition. "Haha, I've asked in advance." He smiled faintly and said, "There is still some money, but I don't know when to fight with Qi. I have to prepare military expenses for the prince." After all, he has been in Qi for many years and still has a clear understanding of Zhao Wujiu's strength.

"I'm too close to the autumn examination one year later. The scholars are going to take the provincial examination and can't come at all, sir." Shang Dezhong had to take out his trump card and said, "I can't catch up with one step, but I can't catch up with one step, and it will be delayed in three years."

Guantao looked at him for a while and suddenly laughed: "This reason is pretty good. I can give you 50,000 taels."

Shang Dezhong was happy at first, but then he was unsatisfied: "Send Buddha to the West..."

Guantao shook his head and said firmly: "You can't have more words, but if you have less money, the range will be smaller."

Shang Dezhong had to bow his order, and felt that he seemed to be forcing the adults just now, so he wanted to find a way to remedy it. "Sir, some of the same year have come here recently..." Looking at the gentle face of the temple minister, Shang Dezhong said softly: "After Your Majesty, the Third Prince and Zhou Zhongtang took power, and excluded and oppressed the court officials here. Several Shangshu were beaten to illness at home, and the court was in chaos. Many of them were discouraged and wanted to ask if the prince could take it in?"

Guantao knew that what he said was not false and pondered: "How many people?"

"There are sixty or seventy people in conservative terms." Shang Dezhong said with a strange expression: "Almost all the Jinshis who stay in Beijing."

Guantao narrowed his eyes slightly, and after a long time, he slowly said, "This matter is very important. I will reply to you when I write a letter to ask the prince." As he said that, he patted his arm and said, "But it won't make them feel cold. Just say that the report has been handed over."

Shang Dezhong didn't expect Guantao to agree on the spot, bowed and smiled, "Students understand... they just don't know how long it will take?"

"It's ten days fast, and it's half a month slow." Guantao replied softly: "Don't worry, the prince said that the most expensive thing in the world is talent."

As they spoke, they reached the gate and heard a rapid sound of horse hooves coming from afar. The two of them couldn't help but look in the sound, and saw a team of golden armored royal forest galloping on the street holding several red flags.

Seeing the fluttering red flag, the two of them suddenly contracted, and they said with ecstasy expressions: "Great victory!"

The Qin Dynasty was still martial, and most of the imperial guards were children in the capital. Therefore, whether it was public or private, the people in the capital were more concerned about the wars of the country than the people in other provinces. Every time there were countless people going to the military department for news, which made it difficult for the officials of the Ministry of War to enter and exit, so it was naturally annoying, but it was difficult to drive away the families of these soldiers. During the reign of Emperor Wen, a minister of the Shang Dynasty could not help but write a letter, requesting that the results of the battle be reported to the whole city to calm the hearts of the people.

Emperor Wen was a polite and loving emperor, so he approved the request of the Ministry of War and agreed with the people of Zhongdu that if he wins, he would hit the red flag in the city. The more red flags, the more he would win; if he was defeated, he would hit the black flag, and if he had more black flags, the more he would lose. Since then, it has become a tradition and has not changed for more than a hundred years.

Therefore, when the people in the capital were anxiously waiting, they suddenly saw the red flag fluttering in the wind, and the excitement suddenly burst out. They dropped their work, ran out of the shop facing the street, and looked at the red ones that had reached the distance. After a long time, they shouted at the top of their lungs: "Great victory! Great victory!" They danced and followed the horse team that reported the good news like crazy, shouting while running: "God bless the Qin Dynasty, my emperor is mighty!"

The voice alarmed many people who had not seen each other and rushed to the streets. After they found out the situation, they shouted.

The more people gathered, the louder and louder the sound. It didn't take long for the entire Zhongdu City to boil completely, and the crackling sound of firecrackers rang out into the sky. No matter the rich and poor, people gathered in one direction, that is the War Department Office located on Baodao Street in Xicheng...

The Minister of War wanted to allocate military supplies and logistics, so Li Qing did not go to the war with the imperial guards. Although he was very inconsistent with the Qin family, the main theme of sharing the external world was, so he was still very happy. He read the written good news again and again, and then he smacked his lips and asked his subordinates to post it to the notice class outside the door.

Several officials walked out happily holding the news, but found that they could not leave the door at all... The door had been completely blocked by the ecstatic people.

Several officials had to find a ladder, climbed onto the wall, and looked out, "What a guy! Not only Baodao Street, but also on the nearby streets, as long as they are within their sight, there will be a crowd of people!"

‘It’s not that the people in the city are coming here, right?’ the officials thought.

Seeing some officials from the Ministry of War climbing up to the wall, people shouted: "Good news! Good news! Good news!" But the officials opened and closed their mouths, but could not hear anything...

The noisy crowd then calmed down, and several officials sang in unison:

"The front line sent a good news from Zhongdu: His Majesty, the wise Emperor Shenwu, personally led 400,000 heavenly soldiers to fight with the Qi chief Zhao Wujiu and the 600,000 bandits in the Central Plains. His Majesty beat drums and inspires them. The generals fought bravely, beheaded 140,000, and defeated the Qi bandits in Luoshuiyuan. The enemy bandits were invincible, and our army took advantage of the victory to pursue them. Now all the lost land is collected. The soldiers under Chen Hulao Pass! Break the pass and defeat the enemy! It is just around the corner!"

"Long live! Long live! Long live!" the people shouted sincerely. Although their impression of the emperor has never been very good, the glory of defeating the victorious prince in every battle is enough to make his image earth-shaking.

In the following days, news from the front line gradually came, and the war that made the Qin people breathe a bitter breath became clear. People finally realized that Prince Cheng won three battles and three victories, and took the lead in breaking the Qi army's camp, which eventually led to the Qi army's great defeat and loss. They couldn't help but talk about the bravery and strength of this legendary "Prince Snatching Prince".

Compared to His Majesty the Emperor, a handsome young hero like Prince Cheng is naturally more in line with the simple aesthetics of the people. With the help of some people, it is so magical. All kinds of singing songs, storytellings, drums, and dramas that praise His Highness's achievements almost overnight emerged like mushrooms after a rain, and the limelight directly overwhelmed His Majesty the Emperor...

People said that the prince used troops like a god, predicting the enemy's initiative, and rushed for seven days and seven nights, which prevented Zhao Wujiu from occupying the mountain, forcing them to retreat to the plain and accept the extremely unfavorable decisive battlefield.

People also said that in the decisive battle, the Qi army set up the Wugang chariot formation, and the Qin soldiers' attacks were blocked, with heavy casualties. The prince could not help but lead the way, and the iron spear picked up eighteen Wugang chariots, breaking the invincible chariot formation of Qi, and then completely defeated the Qi army.

People also say that Zhao Wujiu was the reincarnation of Chi You, who used magic to burn the King of Qin with Samadhi True Fire; and the prince was Lu Dongbin descending to the earth, waved his hand to attract the water of the Luo River, and extinguished the demon fire... This is more fantasy, but it is the favorite thing that everyone likes to hear.

Anyway, whether it is a sincere praise or ulterior motive, the glorious image of a magical art of the wise and brave sect is established.

A few days later, the day of the beginning of autumn has arrived.

The eunuchs moved the sycamore tree planted in the pot into the hall at night. When the first ray of sunshine rose, the Grand Historian said loudly: "Autumn is coming..." After the play, the sycamore tree fell one or two leaves to express the meaning of autumn.

Looking at the first leaf falling, the old empress dowager sighed: "Oh, how many times are falling leaves and how many times are reincarnation, I don't know if I can see the next time..." The old eunuch Qiu helped her up from the chair and coughed a few times, "The Queen Mother must be a hundred years old."

Empress Dowager Wenzhuang shook her head slowly and chuckled, "What are you doing for so long?" She glanced at the old eunuch beside her and said, "I'm lonely..."

Eunuch Qiu felt sad. He knew that what happened last year had a great blow to the old lady... Although he had no feelings for the Wen family, it was her root after all. Since then, the old lady's spirit has become worse day by day, and she has never avoided life and death again.

Eunuch Qiu said in a secret concern: 'This is not a good phenomenon. Young people rely on qi and elderly people rely on chanting. If they lose their miss, their bodies will collapse quickly.' Then he changed the topic and said: "Didn't you say you want to watch Prince Cheng take over the mantle? Then it will take more than ten or twenty years to take good care of it." A friendship between Jiazi made him not too shirk. He said and giggled: "I heard that your highness has been passed on to be like a god."

When he heard him mention Qin Lei, the old lady showed a rare smile on her face and said softly: "Give me the money."

The old eunuch said in surprise: "Didn't you say that my fate is up to me and I won't tell you the fortunes long ago?"

Empress Dowager Wenzhuang shook her head and said, "Maybe it's because of concern. I've been having nightmares recently, so it's better to be more at ease."

Eunuch Qiu quickly took the money and gave the old lady water and cleaned her hands.

"Even if the war is going on?" The empress dowager said softly, and after saying that, she spilled out the money and got the 'upper Dui and Kan'. Her face changed and she murmured, "The image of Zeshui Kun Gua?" She picked up the money and threw it twice, but the 'upper Dui and Kan' was in a daze for a moment. Eunuch Qiu called out several times without saying anything.

Eunuch Qiu asked several times, and the old lady finally came to her senses, shook her head at him, then trembled into the quiet room, and prayed silently.

Eunuch Qiu went to see the money again, but found that the old empress dowager had completely disturbed. But he still remembered those words, hurriedly left the palace gate, took the Taishi Gong who was about to leave, pulled him aside, and asked in a low voice: "What does the 'upper Dui and lower Kan, Zeshui Kun Gua statue' mean?"

When Taishigong heard this, his expression changed and asked him repeatedly who he calculated. Eunuch Qiu said impatiently: "Just talk, why do you ask so much?"

Shi Gong shook his head, but he still told the truth: "The hidden hexagram is under Dui, and the river has no water. The bathroom is poor, crisis, hardship, disasters and pains, devastating disasters..."

The old eunuch suddenly saw sweat and his mouth was dry and said, "Is anyone sure about this thing?"

"Of course not." The Grand Shigong shook his head and smiled: "You have to have profound attainments..."

The old eunuch patted his chest and was about to breathe a sigh of relief, but he heard the guy who was breathing heavily and said with respect: "There are only two or three people in the entire Zhongdu city that can be calculated accurately, but if you want to say it is awesome, it is our Holy Empress Dowager."
Chapter completed!