During the Qin Dynasty, the assessment of officials at all levels was mainly carried out through the Shangji system. The system of planning above is a system in which local governments at all levels regularly report the basic situation of their jurisdictions to the government at the next higher level. For the needs of government affairs, governments at all levels must set up institutions and staff to record the population, land, resources, etc. in the books as the basis for collecting taxes, planning expenditures, and formulating policies. Governments at all levels report the relevant situation to the government at the next higher level in accordance with regulations. The Shangji system was an important system for the Qin government to strengthen the control and management of local governments and bureaucrats. This system was an important means for the emperor and the Qin government to grasp and monitor the population, land, resources, income, cases, accounting, taxation, water conservancy, farmland, transportation, public security, and other conditions of the whole country, and it was also an important means to supervise officials, evaluate political performance, reward the good and punish the evil, and clarify the rule of officials. Under this system, officials are inspected once a year and evaluated by their superiors and reported to the government from the bottom to the top. Every year, the examination materials should also be archived, and according to the results of the inspection, the rewards and punishments will be decided. Those who take the most exams will be promoted and reused; Those who are unqualified or even at fault will be punished and demoted, or reduced to knighthood. The Qin Dynasty began with October, so the system was generally carried out in August and September.

During the period of Pei County's counting, Xiao He has been accompanying Zhang Cang as the main assistant of the county order, he is as serious and meticulous as Zhang Cang, not only quick thinking, but also full of energy, as long as Xiao He has personally sorted out the books or records of various books, the entries are clear and clear at a glance. He also helped Zhang Cang deal with some other affairs, and he performed very well, fully demonstrating his outstanding ability to govern the people, so Zhang Cang appreciated him very much. After the review of the work, the class examination will be conducted. Zhang Cang said to Xiao He: "You have gathered all the officials above the pavilion chief in the county, and you want to go to the county for an examination, I want to judge everyone's level and see how well the officials master the country's legal provisions and the art of legalists?" We should also reuse those outstanding talents, so that they can be used when they can be observed. Xiao He cooperated: "The adult's idea is too good, so I will use this method to assess, and I will also get a good score." According to this decision, Liu Ji was also selected among the officials to be evaluated.

A few days later, officials throughout the county were notified of the exams. In the late autumn of the 36th year of Qin Shi Huangdi, on a solemn and refreshing morning, the two big locust trees in front of the yamen of Pei County were already full of a group of magpies, they chirped for a while, with the arrival of people, the magpies flew away, and the front of the yamen began to be lively. At this time, all the officials of the county arrived, and they entered the county office and gathered in a hall to take the exam. This time, I tested some of the content in "The Way of Officials" and "Shenzi". Zhang Cang served as the chief examiner, and the county magistrate served as the invigilator, and the examination lasted for a whole morning, and the papers were not handed in until noon.

On the day of Zhang Bang, the officials in the county all came to the yamen to inspect the evaluation results, and some of the officials who saw the results were happy, some shook their heads, and some didn't care, in short, they had different expressions and expressions. The first place is the well-known Xiao Xiancheng, followed by Cao Shen, the county lieutenant ranked fifth, and Liu Ji ranked twentieth, and he was also the best one among all the pavilion chiefs. Everyone got together to talk about this exam, and Xiao He and Cao Shen happened to meet together. And the officials congratulated them both. Xiao He and Cao Shen said some polite words, and then said goodbye to everyone, and the two were about to go back. Suddenly, I saw a big man walking over, and Xiao He and Cao Shen stopped to look at him.

The big man is about thirty years old, and although he looks dusty, he is magnificent. He wore a scarf on his head, a pair of large straw sandals on his feet, and a coarse linen short coat; Holding a pipe in his right hand and carrying a small package on his left shoulder, he is very athletic. I saw that he also squeezed into the crowd, looked at Bang Wen but said disdainfully: "If the husband wants to contribute to the country, he should rely on his real skills, these sour Confucians who dance and write are not worth mentioning!" After saying that, he sneered and turned to leave. Xiao He was very surprised, and hurriedly stepped forward and shouted, "Strong man, please stay!" The big man turned around. Xiao He saw that he had a square face, black and yellow face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, a wide nose and thick lips, like a martial artist. But what is puzzling is that he has a white cloth belt tied around his waist, as if he has just run through mourning.

Xiao He exclaimed: "The strong man is so good-looking!" The man made a gesture and said, "Did the two adults call me?" Xiao He said very politely: "Yes, I don't know where the strong man is?" What is the last name? Where did you come from and where are you going? Dahan replied: "The villain's surname is Zhou Mingbo, a native of Sanchuanjuan County." Only because his parents died prematurely, he came to Pei County to join his relatives and lived in Lizuo. When Xiao He returned the salute, he suspected that he was a poor kid who was hiding from forced labor, so he asked: "Why did the strong man sigh after reading the county text?" Zhou Bo was stunned in his heart and explained: "Just now I just felt injustice in my heart, so I said a word, and I didn't mean to slander, please forgive the two adults?" Xiao He smiled: "I'm Xiao He, this is Lord Cao Shencao, we don't mean to blame." I just want to know that you have a white belt around your waist, could it be ......" Zhou Bo hurriedly explained: "The adults misunderstood, the villain usually makes silkworm foil as a business, often blows the flute for others, and makes some livelihoods such as welcoming relatives and funerals." I am happy when others laugh, and I am sad when others are sad. Today is the funeral for others, so that's why I am in this line. ”

After Xiao He learned about Zhou Bo's situation, he said humbly: "Is that so?" I also know a little bit about the rhythm, I want to invite a strong man to the county one, I have the heart to listen to you play an ancient song, I don't know if I can appreciate the light? Zhou Bo hurriedly saluted: "Lord Xiao is invited, I was originally going to go." But Xiaomin's outfit is unlucky, and he is afraid that he will offend the two adults. Xiao He said: "Hey, you do things for others to solve their worries, which shows that you have compassion." Compassion is the end of benevolence. The benevolent, the ghosts and gods are still respected, how can there be a crime to say? Zhou Bo had never heard anyone praise him like this, and he was very moved, so he followed Xiao He to the county office. As soon as Zhou Bo walked to the door, he hesitated a little and said, "My lord, since ancient times, grass people have not interacted with official families. I'm a cold man and I'm penniless, so it's better not to make trouble for the two adults? Xiao He hurriedly said: "They are all 'bosom friends', why bother about being expensive and cheap?" Do you want to give us a greeting gift? Then please go inside and play a song. Zhou Bo had no choice but to follow in.

Everyone came to the hall and sat down, and Xiao He ordered tea. After drinking the tea, Xiao He said: "Although I don't have the wisdom of Shi Kuang, I also have the Yaxing who understands 'Mount Tai' and 'Yang Xi is like a river'." Ask the strong man to play a song first. Zhou Bo had no choice but to say: "It's ugly." So he picked up the flute and blew it, and the music was roughly as follows:

The avenue is difficult, and the fog does not open the clouds. Yan Zhao Na Guoshi, Le Zou drama Xinlai. Seventy-two under Qi is a golden platform. Heroic through the sun and the moon, economic and prodigy. The cool breeze rises and blows slowly into my arms. The sword body has not been encountered, so why abandon the dust! The phoenix is not a Wuqi, and the dragon is spraying clouds and thunder. Traveling all over the world, the miserable swallows sing and mourn.

After Zhou Bo finished playing, he said with a smile: "Let the two adults laugh." Xiao He was shocked: "The song you played is called "Time Never Meets", and this song is to express the feelings of a strong man who has never met him." Blowing today, I already know your ambitions. Zhou Bo listened to Xiao He's words and was surprised, so he admired Xiao He's extensive knowledge and insight into lyrics and songs, so that he broke through the mystery in his heart, and quickly got up and said: "Xiaomin likes to dance with guns and sticks since he was a child, and he has no ability, but unfortunately there is no place for it, so he often uses this song to relieve depression, and today makes the two adults laugh." ”

Xiao He said happily: "I admire your talent very much! But to let the world know about you, you have to let people know what you're capable of. Please remember my words, if there is any selection of martial artists in the county in the future, please come, don't miss the opportunity! Zhou Bo has always been unclothed and unable to eat, but now after listening to Xiao He's words, he was very happy, so he thanked him again and again: "Thank you for your cultivation, Xiaomin, I must keep in mind your advice." With that, he got up and took his leave. Xiao and Cao didn't keep it, so they sent Zhou Bo outside the mansion. After Zhou Bo left, an errand officer suddenly came over and said, "Lord Xiao, Zhang Yushi, please ask for it." Xiao He heard that Zhang Yushi was invited, so he said goodbye to Cao Shen and came to see Zhang Cang.