The development of transportation in the Ming Dynasty has even surpassed some backward countries in later generations, such as the railway, although it has not yet covered all the state capitals, but all provinces are connected, that is to say, even the most remote state capital will not be more than 800 miles away from the railway.

Eight hundred miles, if ordinary people need at least two or three days to whip a fast horse, but if it is a post officer, that is, the current post office officials fast horses, constantly changing horses along the way, can really catch up with eight hundred miles in one day, this is the so-called eight hundred miles expedited, anyway, now many state capitals have railways, most of the fast horses in the post office have been transferred to the state capitals that have not been connected to the railway, and there is really no shortage of fast horses.

Under this terrifying transmission speed, even in the most remote state capital of the Ming Dynasty, as long as the calligraphy and painting works are ready within five days, they can definitely be transmitted to the capital within fifteen days, so from the sixth day, the general post office of the General Post Office of the General Political Envoy in Xicheng has continuously received calligraphy and painting works sent from all over the country, and the works received on the seventh day exceeded 100,000.

In a huge lecture hall in Guozijian, a hundred officials who were urgently dispatched sat neatly under the podium, and the ten masters of calligraphy and painting invited and Xu Guangqi, Huang Daozhou, and Wu Meicun were also divided into two rows to sit on the podium.

At this time, the busiest thing is not the officials who evaluate the works in the lobby, but the students of the Guozijian who disassemble and assemble them outside, and the works sent over are all wrapped in cardboard tubes, and they have to carefully cut the seals on the paper tubes, take out the works inside and spread them flat and fold them on a large wooden plate, and then send them into the lobby.

At this time, the most relaxed is Xu Guangqi, Huang Daozhou and Wu Meicun on the high platform, they are only responsible for the final check, although there are as many as 100,000 or even hundreds of thousands of works sent over every day, but after all, there are not so many masters of calligraphy and painting in the Ming Dynasty, and ordinary people are just for the third prize, just want to try their luck, there are not many real masterpieces, and there are very few who can pass the preliminary examination of the following hundred officials, and one or two of the hundred works are good.

Therefore, there are only about 1,000 works that can be passed on to the stage every day, and more than half of them have to be brushed down by ten masters of calligraphy and painting, and there are only two or three hundred paintings a day that can really be passed on to them.

After nearly half a month of selection, all the works of the "Shengshi Daming" Calligraphy and Painting Competition were finally reviewed, Xu Guangqi, Huang Daozhou, Wu Meicun, Luo Yanghe and Xu Erjue jointly brought 24 works proposed for the first prize and 200 works for the second prize, to the palace, handed over to the emperor for final decision.

To say that Zhu Cijiong's calligraphy and painting skills, after so many years of training, there is still a little bit, especially in painting, he has studied under the master of calligraphy and painting Liu Ruozai, and has been practicing hard for several years, although he dare not say that he has reached the master level, the professional level is definitely there.

He originally thought that he would only be interested in paintings, so the first thing he appreciated was the award-winning paintings, these paintings, whether in terms of conception, layout, technique, etc., are enough to make people amazed, some details and the application of some lines are simply subtle, he feels that just looking at these paintings, his painting level is improving!

When he couldn't put it down and looked at the calligraphy works, he also specially asked his teacher Xu Guangqi to give him guidance, for fear that his level was limited and he couldn't see the subtlety.

Chinese characters do have their own unique charm, and after thousands of years of painstaking study by countless literati and artists, the writing of Chinese characters has already risen to the height of art.

After some guidance, Zhu Cijiong seemed to really see its power through the back of the paper, his pen walked the dragon and snake, the clouds and water, the iron pen and silver hook jumped on the paper, looking at it, he gradually indulged in it, this kind of enjoyment, just like a long drought and rain, hearty.

After he finished reading it, more than an hour had passed, looking at everyone's expectant eyes, Zhu Cijiong couldn't help but praise: "Okay, these works are very good, people will be addicted to them without realizing it, it is simply a great enjoyment." “

Unexpectedly, he just finished admiring, but his teacher Xu Guangqi sighed and said: "Alas, it's a pity that such a competition is just like this, if it can be held for a long time, the calligraphy and painting world of the Ming Dynasty will definitely shine, glorious to future generations, on the occasion of this rare peaceful and prosperous era, it is indeed a pity not to leave more masterpieces for future generations, Weichen dared to suggest that the emperor continue to hold this calligraphy competition, it is best to hold it every three years, so as to inspire calligraphy and painting lovers, constantly hone their skills, and create more masterpieces." “

When Zhu Cijiong heard this, he immediately clapped his head and said: "What the teacher said is very right, in this peaceful and prosperous era, we should create more cultural heritage for future generations, not only can we hold calligraphy and painting competitions, but also poetry competitions, song competitions and even prose competitions, so that it will be more comprehensive." “

When Xu Guangqi heard this, he excitedly arched his hand and said: "The emperor is wise." “

Zhu Cijiong hurriedly bowed his hand and saluted back: "This is all taught by the teacher, I am just guided by the situation." “

Xu Guangqi was a little embarrassed when he heard this: "The emperor has a good reputation, and Weichen doesn't dare to take credit, but how to determine the rewards of the competition in the future, this time it is mainly for the issuance of new silver tickets, what about in the future?" “

This problem is naturally difficult for Zhu Cijiong, there are many such competitions in later generations, he said without thinking: "This simple, rewarded silver two can go to the merchant to cooperate, this is a great opportunity for publicity, if they don't come out, there will be four royal companies to take turns, as for the glory, the winning works of the poetry contest can be edited into a poetry collection for distribution, the song can be compiled into an opera recitation, and the article can also be collected into a book to pass on." “

When Xu Guangqi heard this, he couldn't help but praise: "Poetry collections, operas, and hand-me-down books, good, good, not in vain, not in vain!" “

Zhu Cijiong was about to be modest, and suddenly felt a blessing in his heart, he thought about it, and said loudly: "It's better to be like this, in the future, the four companies of the royal family will each contribute one million taels a year to assist the yamen in organizing various competitions, such as the Ministry of Rites can organize chess competitions, piano competitions, Ministry of Industry can organize professional skills competitions, instrument development competitions, household departments can organize abacus competitions, etc., which can not only promote the development of all walks of life, but also enrich the lives of ordinary people, wouldn't it be even more in vain!" “

When everyone heard this, they all praised the emperor's wisdom and the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty, just like this!