Zhang asked Zhao Kun, can he get used to living in Beijing? What's missing? Zhao Kun thanked her: "It's all good, the aunt is well prepared, and she doesn't lack anything." My nephew has already been to the library, and it's a wonderful place. My nephew read books there for a long time, and when the library closed, he was reluctant to leave, and he couldn't wait to live in the library. It's just that the rules are like this, since the nephew wants to be in charge, he can't break the rules first. ”

Knowing that the library is the proud industry of the Hou Mansion in Jiannan, Zhang's heart felt like a flower when he heard Zhao Kun praise the Mingzhi library: "How can you also be a member of your own family, if you really like a book, just report the title of the book to us." Many of the books in the library have transcripts in our family. There are no rules for borrowing books for a limited time. ”

Zhao Kun was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked him again.

He also talked about the old Lin Hanlin in the east of the library, and his knowledge was very admirable. Just because Lin Lao Hanlin was also in charge of the affairs of the library, I heard that he was going to take over the affairs of the library in the future, and specially invited their ancestors and grandchildren to come over to the house, and pointed out a lot of knowledge, which benefited him a lot. It just so happens that his grandson Zhao Mu is going to continue his studies, the children of the Lin family have their own home school, and the old Han Lin Zhishi is at home, as a teacher, if Zhao Mu can accompany the school, wouldn't there be a famous teacher to teach? Zhao Kun originally wanted to ask for a request for Lin Lao Hanlin, but when Zhao Mu went to visit, Lin Lao Hanlin said a few words of praise, but it sounded like he was polite. He was worried that people would not accept it, so he wanted to beg Zhang to talk to Zhao Wei and let him come forward to help talk about it.

Zhang agreed as soon as he pleased: "It's okay, Lord Lin is very kind, and he has always been a good teacher." The students who came to the library asked for advice if they didn't understand something, and he didn't hesitate to give advice. There are also relatives, friends or neighbors' children in the Lin family's family school, and it is okay to accept one more Brother Mu. It's just that after Mu Ge'er entered the school, he had to work hard. ”

Zhao Kun hurriedly agreed, and glared at his grandson again: "Don't you thank your great-uncle and grandmother?" Zhao Mu hurriedly kowtowed again.

After finishing business, everyone began to talk about family life again. Zhang called Zhao Mu forward and carefully inquired about his knowledge. Zhao Xiu took this opportunity to sit next to his cousin Zhao Kun: "Uncle Kun, there is one thing, my niece wants to ask you for help. ”

Zhao Kun was surprised: "What's the matter?" The niece just said. He didn't understand, what else could this niece not do? Or is it her brother, Jian Nanhou, who can't do it and needs to turn to him?

What Zhao Xiu said was something he didn't expect.

She plans to put some Western books translated into Chinese into the Mingzhi Library, in addition to some atlas books, geography and agricultural affairs, customs and other books, and wants to ask Zhao Kun to guide some students who may be interested in taking a look when he is in charge of the library.

It's easy to put a book into the library, but it's not up to her to decide whether anyone will read it or not. That's why she wanted to ask Zhao Kun to help. It shouldn't be too difficult for him.

After Zhao Kun heard this, he was a little unimpressed: "What is this for?" When I went to the library yesterday, I also saw that the Yi brothers put the books sent by their niece and daughter on a newly vacated bookshelf, saying that they were translated Western books, and the titles of the books were all related to merchants. The other books mentioned by my niece are just farming, which is the foundation of the country, but the geography and terroir...... What does this have to do with the imperial examination? It's just a miscellaneous book. Students who go to the library to borrow books are all interested in seeking fame, if they read miscellaneous books and change their temperament, wouldn't it ruin the reputation of the library? If they are willing to fall, it is difficult for others to say anything, but how can we lead them astray? ”

Zhao Xiu smiled, this kind of utilitarian thinking is an ordinary concept in the world, and it is not surprising that Zhao Kun would think so. She said: "Uncle Kun, what is the crooked road? What do you mean by miscellaneous books? Do you think that if you want to be famous and take the exam, you just need to read the Four Books and the Five Classics? There are so many students in the world who can memorize the Four Books and Five Classics backwards, why are there only so many who can go to high school every year? Where are the people in high school worse than those who fall behind? Is it all because I didn't understand the knowledge in the book? ”

Zhao Kun's face changed slightly, he was not very happy to hear this. Zhao Xiu, a niece, has been famous since she was a child, but she is still a boudoir woman, how can she understand the matter of studying for the imperial examination?

Zhao Xiu said to him unhurriedly: "You see, but all those who can come to the capital to participate in the examination have already passed three levels and cut six generals, and have experienced the county examination, the government examination, the hospital examination, and the township examination. The imperial court wants to open a department to recruit scholars, and there is no need to worry about anything in the item of 'learning'. It's like Uncle Kun, you are already a lifter, you are already familiar with books, and you also understand that if you want to pass the test again, you rely on integrating knowledge and combining it with the government - to put it simply, it depends on whether the lifters have the qualifications to be officials. If you are just a dead reader, you don't know anything except endorsement, how can you be a parent and take care of state affairs for the court?

Zhao Kun slowly understood: "I understand what you mean, in addition to being knowledgeable, you must also have the ability to govern." But what does this have to do with what you just said? ”

Zhao Xiu said: "Because my brother also had to participate in the scientific examination in his early years, he also read the articles of the famous exams of the past years, and I know that the test questions of the general examination and the palace examination are usually issued by the emperor, and the questions are often related to national policies and current affairs. Does Uncle Kun know what major national events in recent years may be used as topics? ”

Zhao Kun was stunned, he really hadn't thought about it in this regard. He was in the countryside of Fengxian, in fact, he was just holding a book and reading it. The eighth old lady is a lifter, and he has never experienced the test, so it is naturally impossible for him to get any experience from his father. If you have the heart to ask your relatives, friends or classmates, it is impossible for them to talk in such detail. However, if you think about it carefully, there are indeed many articles related to national policies and current politics among the famous exams he has read in the past.

For example, during the first emperor's dynasty, because the first emperor was influenced by the civil officials around him and admired the ancient rites, he had related topics. At that time, the chief examiner who presided over the Shanghai Township Examination was very unimpressed with the ancient rites, but he did not take anything that said the benefits of the ancient rites in the article, but those who said that the ancient rites were outdated and should be revitalized were regarded as excellent. But when it came to the meeting examination and the palace examination, because the emperor and the chief examiner in the capital were biased towards reviving the ancient rites, they couldn't look down on the articles advocating the new policy. So that year, all the lifters in Shanghai fell to Sun Shan. This is a very famous tragic example in the circle of Jiangnan readers. Since then, all those who enter Beijing to take the examination have to inquire about the direction of the wind in the DPRK in advance before they dare to write articles.

Zhao Kun began to feel that what his niece Zhao Xiu said did not seem to be unreasonable.

Zhao Xiu persuaded him: "Now the emperor is promoting foreign trade, which is different from the previous emperor's dynasty, if there is such a question in the exam, how can people who don't understand say it?" It is not good to say that luxury goods from the West are a waste of financial resources, so they should not trade with foreign merchants. But the grain from the South Seas can solve the grain dilemma and cut off foreign trade, so wouldn't even this road be cut off? It can be seen that there are two sides to everything, and you have to think about it carefully. ”

Zhao Kun nodded slowly. In this regard, he has personal experience, when Nanhui Port was not yet affected, foreign trade was very prosperous, and the Shanghai government was affected, even in their three rooms, the eighth old lady would also use a pair of reading glasses from the West, Zhao Kun's wife bought some foreign tweed for him to make winter clothes, and this spring also bought some grain from Nanyang. It can be seen that this foreign trade is not completely bad.

Zhao Xiu said again: "Also, now that the treasury is not abundant, if the emperor asks how to enrich the country?" How is Uncle Kun going to write it? If you still talk in general terms according to what is written in the book, how can you show your ability in many examples? ”

Zhao Kun nodded and said: "I understand, you put a few Western books in it, and asked me to persuade the students to read them, because I want them to know more, don't come to the end, the emperor really came up with a relevant topic, but they couldn't say anything." He couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, if he really encountered this kind of problem, even if his family lived on the edge of Nanhui Port, he couldn't understand it. It seems that not only will he persuade other students to read those books, but even he himself will have to read them first.

Zhao Xiu couldn't help laughing when he saw that he was moved. Then the rest will be easier to do. She also said to Zhao Kun: "There is more to current politics than this, the major events that have happened recently, and the tide disaster, which may be considered disaster relief or post-disaster reconstruction." And then there's the case – maybe a little bit about the integrity of officials. None of this is exact. Before the exam, there may be something else coming out. If there is any change in the border gates, maybe even the military and politics will be involved. Uncle Kun is in the capital, don't just bury your head in the library and read hard, and occasionally listen to what other people are talking about, maybe it will help. ”

Zhao Kun sighed, only felt that his preparation still had many deficiencies, if it wasn't for his niece's reminder, he might have entered the examination room for the examination, and he began to regret that he didn't prepare more earlier.

Zhang heard it clearly on the side, and said with a smile: "Sister Xiu, don't scare your cousin, where are there so many things?" If it's really important, your cousin doesn't need to listen to other people's discussions, he can hear about it. However, she agreed with Zhao Xiu to send more "miscellaneous books" into the library: "The students who come to the library can't just go for the scientific examination." If you have passed the examination and become an official, you can also go to the library to check some books on agricultural geography and customs, otherwise you don't even know where your own jurisdiction is, and when you get to the locality, you don't know the local climate, how to be an official? ”

Zhao Kun was taught, and when he took Zhao Mu to leave the Jiannan Hou Mansion, he didn't even go home, and went directly to the Mingzhi Library. He had to get ahead of the curve and read the books his niece had mentioned.

He first read the two Western books translated by Zhao Xiu, one "On Taxation" and the other "The Wealth of Britain from Foreign Trade", because Zhao Xiu translated it into the vernacular, it is also easy to understand. After reading it, he broke out in a cold sweat again, and said secretly in his heart: Acting in foreign countries is very different from my Da Chu, looking at what is said in the book, it seems that there is still a bad intention in foreign trade? Don't be unguarded...... However, knowing their purpose, it seems that it is not impossible to deal with it, and some of the words mentioned in the book are still a little crooked......

He put the book away, looked solemn, and decided to let more students know the truth in the book and brainstorm so that he could remind the court to take precautions.

A few days later, Zhao Xiu sent a map of the world to the library, as well as a map of Dachu - although it was a simplified version, all provinces and large cities were clearly marked on the map. Anyone who sees the map can know where their hometown is and where the capital is, and they can also know from the world map that although their country is the "center of the world", the world is very big, so big that it is beyond everyone's imagination.

Some people thought the map was ridiculous, others thought it was very important, and the students talked about it, attracting more people to look at the two maps hanging on the walls of the wings.

After entering Layue, Zhao Xiu sent two more pictures to the library. This time, it is no longer a map, but a "Nanhui Prosperity Map" and a "Nanhui Post-Disaster Map". White drawing, uncolored, and the lines are a little rough. But those who have seen these two pictures have not been able to say a word for a long time. (To be continued.) )