Youzhou Mansion, Pingyang County.

In a dilapidated house on the outskirts, a group of seventeen or eighteen-year-old beggars gathered, buzzing and noisy.

"Qingbei, let's go to the south together!"

It was a big man, a naturally strong and honest beggar who spoke and was one of the people who went out to beg for food and save him on a snowy day in the north of Qingbei.

Qingbei didn't speak, he stared in the direction of the county seat, and was distracted for a long time.

"Qingbei, the first group of people who went to the south have already sent back the message, and you can eat enough over there!"

Seeing that Qingbei still had no intention of speaking and leaving together, the honest beggar opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say anything.

On the contrary, a thin girl next to her looked at Qingbei with bright eyes, and her dark eyes were full of yearning.

At this moment, someone suddenly shouted loudly.

"Let's go to the south together, the south can be full, the south can marry a mother-in-law, and we can start a family and start a business without paying food."

This sentence fell into Qingbei's ears, like a thorn, which stimulated Qingbei.

No money, no power and no dignity, this is Qingbei's deepest feeling, especially in front of the girl he likes.

"I want to change!"

Qingbei thought silently, and had already made a decision in his heart.

At the same time, Qingbei also knows very well that most of these people who come back to recruit people have ulterior motives, and most of the beggars are fooled into going to the south to work hard.

Qingbei glanced back at the direction of the county center again, and then looked at the honest beggar and said.

"Let's go south together!"

"But not with them, we go by ourselves!"

When the honest beggar and the thin girl heard this, they all nodded, and there was a trace of excitement on their faces.

Early the next morning, under the leadership of Qingbei, more than a dozen beggars who trusted Qingbei formed a group and set off for Nanping Mansion, a place of chaos.

City Center, Nambu.

Lin Xilin's little sister stood by the window, wearing a golden hairpin, looking at the north, with a pair of fox eyes on her delicate jade face and sorrowful exposed, which had the beauty of a deep resentful woman.

In the courtyard, the autumn chrysanthemums are in full bloom, the leaves are yellow, the autumn is deepening, the cool breeze enters the arms, and the wisps of melancholy rise from the heart.

"Brother Nanshan, when will you come back?"

“……”

In the courtyard, only Lin Xiaomei's murmuring voice fell with the wind.

North, Yingchuan border.

Crossing the border of Yingchuan, it is Bianzhou, and it has entered the imperial capital area.

Nanshan, Zhu Yuan, Yuanji, Nan Ruyan, and Ruan Xiaosi were swept up all the way, and they met crows on the road, and they struggled to move forward against the west wind.

In the post station on the border, Nanshan, Zhu Yuan, and Yuanji converged with some students who also came to participate in the scientific expedition, and merged a large number of caravans and dart teams, like a tide that poured into Bianzhou and headed for the imperial capital Bianliang.

"There are a lot of students who participated in the imperial examination this time!"

Zhu Yuan looked at the flow of people walking in front of him and couldn't help but sigh.

"But no, in the last session of our scientific examination, the year before opened Enke, which led to fewer students participating in our imperial examination that period."

"Now, after three years, a new group of students have joined the imperial examination, and the competition in this period should be very great."

Yuanji spoke with a little sorrow, when they participated in the imperial examination last time, there were few people and they were not admitted.

This time there are more people, the competition is greater, and the hope of admission is even smaller.

"The chaos in the south is getting bigger, and the imperial court is the time to employ people, and now it is different from the past, I estimate that this imperial examination will admit a lot of talents."

Nanshan also said what he thought in his heart, which attracted the attention of Zhu Yuan and Yuanji.

Facing the eyes of the two friends, Nanshan organized the language for a while and continued.

"I dare to assert that eight or nine out of ten students will be admitted to this imperial examination."

"Of course, the admission method is not necessarily the first Dengke, and there should be another way to recruit talents."

Zhu Yuan and Yuanji looked at Nanshan, their eyes full of doubts, but more of surprise.

Because Nanshan just said that he dared to assert that the meaning and strength of this sentence are very special.

Facing the burning eyes of the two friends, the young Nanshan smiled slightly, standing in the wind, and there was a style of pointing out the country and inspiring words from the inside out.

"It's very simple, the imperial examination system is actually a cage."

"A cage that controls us and others!"

"Of course, the imperial examination also provides an opportunity, an opportunity to break the ranks."

"Princes and generals, dignitaries and dignitaries, can all be achieved through the imperial examination."

"It's ridiculous to say, my generation of scholars has been studying hard for more than ten years, bowing down and calling the ministers a son of a cow, the purpose is just to become famous in one fell swoop, add officials to the knighthood, and glorify the ancestors."

Speaking of which, Nanshan's tone was a little pathetic.

Then, Nanshan changed his words and continued.

"However, this is the general trend, I can't stop it, and we can't stop it."

"Since ancient times, the rebellion of the people and bandits has been a small chaos."

"Only the rebellion of scholars can deceive people's hearts, involve interests, gather forces, and sweep the world with a sweeping trend."

Nanshan looked in the direction of the imperial capital Bianliang, turned his back to Zhu Yuan and Yuanji, and said quietly.

"Therefore, I dare to assert that eight or nine out of ten students in this imperial examination will find a way out."

"A way out must also be found!"

"Unless...... Otherwise......"

Unless there is something else in the back, Nanshan didn't say it, because that would seem to be a big rebellion.

Of course, Nanshan's words just now are alarmist enough and refreshing the three views.

Even if Zhu Yuan and Yuanji are people close to Nanshan, at this moment, they have set off a monstrous wave in their hearts.

……

Once the storm rose, the man took Wu Hook.

When did you come and when did you enter the imperial capital?

Nanshan looks at the royal capital that gradually appears in the line of sight in the distance, the city wall is magnificent and solemn, like the tide rising to the ground, and like the mountains across the world.

Before entering the city, Nanshan felt the sense of oppression that had endured the vicissitudes of history.

The imperial capital of the royal city under the dusk is dominant, and under the golden afterglow, it shines everywhere.

When Nanshan, Zhu Yuan, Yuanji and others entered the capital, it was already night.

There is no curfew in the emperor, the night market scene is prosperous, the lights are bright and green, and the night is drunk and golden.

Under the moonlight, the lamps are hung on the willows, the plums are full of picks, the street is, the teahouses and restaurants are noisy, and the stage is opened with a golden costume.

What a prosperous world in the world!

In the forty-sixth year of Tianhong, autumn, the trial is imminent.

After a body search and identity verification, Nanshan walked into the examination room without hurrying.

Feeling that the examination room was surrounded by soldiers and horses, guards patrolling day and night, and the solemn atmosphere was visible to the naked eye, Nanshan had a clear understanding of the fairness and impartiality of this imperial examination.

Nanshan took the Jinshi examination, and there were three examinations.

The first test is the Sutra, the second is the essay, and the third is the current policy.

In other words, this expedition examines the sage scriptures, poetry, and views of certain existing situations.

There were ten bishops in this expedition, all of whom were German and Chinese ministers.

Before the exam, Nanshan had visited one or two of them with several letters of recommendation, including Tang Yuanzhou, but there was no definite response.

Fortunately, most of the wind and rain information exposed outside and outside the royal city was like this, so that the hearts of Nanshan, Zhu Yuan, and Yuanji were not affected.

Nanshan exhaled slowly, calmed down, and prepared for the next three days and two nights.

There are three exams in Jinshi, one a day, and the exam time is from day to night.

The admission to the Jinshi Department is very strict, and each paper of the scripture essays, essays, and essays must reach a certain level in order to enter the next round of examinations.

To put it bluntly, it is to stay in each volume.

That is, all three volumes must be passed before they can enter the next selection link, and only then can they enter the Shi and the first.

In the first main examination, Nanshan put pen to paper, and the letter came without the slightest delay.

It can be seen that Nanshan is very familiar with the exam questions in this volume and has confidence.

The second main examination essay, that is, poetry, is even more difficult not to fall Nanshan.

The third main exam, as Wu Shan expected, was themed 'How to Eradicate the Troubles in the South'.

The examination questions of current affairs can not only be guessed by Nanshan, but also by many literati students.

However, it is not so easy to write a well-reasoned essay that is supported by your own opinions and arguments.

In addition, the essay needs to first throw out the arguments, then introduce the arguments in the form of total scores, ties, progressions, etc., and finally summarize the suggestions and solutions.

This involves the choice of words and sentences, the refinement of opinions, the search for arguments, and conclusive recommendations, which can be extremely difficult to accomplish in a day.

Time passed little by little, the sun and the moon rotated, day and night alternated.

On the day Nanshan walked out of the examination room, the sun was shining, and Nanshan couldn't open his eyes.

Bianliang, the capital city, a restaurant.

"I have to wait for more than half a month before the apricot list can be released, I am like the good medicine in the pot, and I am very tormented."

Nanshan raised his glass and toasted Yuanji, who was a good medicine, and was in a good mood.

After the test, Nanshan's mood that he had been carrying relaxed a lot.

Even if he fails to pass the imperial examination this time, Nanshan will not have any psychological burden, because he is still young.

If not, Nanshan can return home as soon as possible to accompany his wife and parents.

Moreover, the chaos in the south is a foregone conclusion, and Nanshan wants to return to his family as soon as possible to feel at ease.

"Anyway, if we have nothing to do, why don't we go to the poetry meeting held at the Great Day Tower."

It was Zhu Yuan who spoke, and the three of them came from the south to the north, wanting to get to know more of the world's talents, including Nanshan.

Neither Nanshan nor Yuanji objected to this proposal, but at this moment, talented people from all over the capital gathered, and the 'Great Day Tower Poetry Society' needed an invitation, and the three of them went there to get this thing without a name.

Seeing Zhu Yuan and Yuanji's brows furrowed, Nanshan shook his head and smiled, and he had an idea in his mind.

"Tomorrow, I can go to the university scholar's mansion again to deliver the poems, and it is not difficult to find three invitations to the poetry club."

When Zhu Yuan and Yuanji heard this, their eyebrows relaxed, and they admired the method that Nanshan came up with.

The scholar Nanshan said is Wen Changran, the minister of the DPRK and China, Wen Changran's love for poetry is known all over the world, and countless students go to his mansion every day to deliver their works, but few students are favored.

Before the test, Nanshan, Zhu Yuan, and Yuanji organized a group to visit, but there were no good results.

However, the purpose of the three of them this time was to get an invitation to the poetry meeting, which was much easier than the intention of visiting before the exam.

The three of them had an idea, and they came to Wenfu early the next morning.

After Nanshan gathered a proud work by Zhu Yuan and Yuanji, and handed the work in, within half an hour, three invitations flowed out of Wenfu and fell into Nanshan's hands.

"Tomorrow's Poetry Club, let's go?"

Nanshan held the invitation letter of the poetry meeting, teased the two friends, and the three of them joked with each other and rushed back to the restaurant where they lived temporarily.

On the second day, when Nanshan, Zhu Yuan, and Yuanji rushed to the Dari Tower to participate in the poetry meeting, a major event occurred in Nanping Mansion in the south.

In Nanping Mansion, the security on the upper floor of the city in the past is long gone, only a smoke of gunpowder rises, and it is ruined.

Last night, Chen Jiu, the thief king of Dayan Mountain, led 100,000 militiamen to respond carefully in the city, opened the city gate, and Nanping Mansion broke the city.

The people of the city were burned, killed, looted, refugees fled, and bandits were rampant.

However, most of the clans in the city were not harmed, but their power increased greatly, and their wealth and land rose again.

As soon as Nanping Mansion was broken, panic began to spread, and it quickly spread to Youzhou Mansion.

Nanping Mansion, a rich and noble family.

A young man in light armor, armed with a large knife, and wearing an iron helmet stood at the gate, slashing the fleeing guards to death one by one.

When the voices died out and the robbery was over, an honest young man in torn leather armor walked up to the young man in light armor and said excitedly.

"Qingbei, Qingbei, we're getting rich this time!"

"Innumerable gold, innumerable silver, and innumerable jewels......"

The honest young man did not read much, he took out a large amount of gold and silver from his pocket and displayed it in front of Qingbei's eyes, because he couldn't describe how much wealth he had gotten, and the honest young man used countless to describe his joy at the moment.

"Hello brothers, go to the next one!"

Qingbei smiled slightly, nodded, and didn't say anything.

This Qingbei is the Qingbei that was begging in Pingyang County.

A scar appeared on Qingbei's forehead, and the killing intent at the corner of his mouth could not be concealed, giving people a feeling that no one should enter.

seemed to have thought of something, and before the honest young man left, Qingbei reminded him.

"Tell us to go down, grab the next one, and let's go out of the city and go north!"

"Ah...... Why...... Good! ”

The honest young man wanted to ask why, but after seeing Qingbei's gradually gloomy face, he finally didn't ask anything and decided to do what Qingbei instructed.

After the honest young man went down, Qingbei looked at the firelight and smoke of Nanping Mansion, and his eyes gradually became gloomy and gloomy.

This time, it was not only Chen Jiuneng, the thief king of Dayan Mountain who entered the city, who invaded Nanping Mansion this time, but also dozens of copycat forces who pretended to come along.

The hundreds of men and horses led by Qingbei are also one of the forces.

Qingbei knew very well that although Nanping Mansion had been captured, it was not something that could be forcibly occupied by a grass mustard force like them.

If you don't leave Nanping Mansion in time, later on, the major families will exert their strength and unite with several major bandit forces, and you can easily clean up the outsiders in Nanping Mansion.

In this case, Qingbei can see it very clearly, the family and the bandit forces are wearing a pair of pants at all.

And these difficult people are just a few straws that promote this disaster and ignite the flames of war.

……

Three days later, the power of the court in Nanping Mansion was completely wiped out, and the rebellion continued to sweep towards Youzhou Mansion.

At this time, Nanshan had just finished participating in the Dari Tower Poetry Conference, and behind an unknown god in the Dari Tower, Nanshan left an anonymous poem.

"Brother Shen!"

"Hmm!"

Shen Changqing walked on the road, and when he met someone he knew well, he would say hello to each other or nod his head.

But it doesn't matter who it is.

There was no superfluous expression on everyone's face, as if they were very indifferent to everything.

on this.

Shen Changqing is used to it.

Because this is the Demon Suppression Division, it is an institution that maintains the stability of Great Qin, and its main responsibility is to kill demons and monsters, and of course there are some other side jobs.

Arguably.

In the Demon Suppression Division, everyone has a lot of blood on their hands.

When a person is accustomed to seeing life and death, then he will become indifferent to many things.

When he first came to this world, Shen Changqing was a little uncomfortable, but over time he got used to it.

The Demon Suppression Division is huge.

The people who can stay in the Demon Suppression Division are all powerful masters, or people who have the potential to become masters.

Shen Changqing belongs to the latter.

Among them, the Demon Suppression Division is divided into two professions, one is the town guard and the other is the demon exterminator.

Anyone who enters the Demon Suppression Division starts with the lowest level of demon slayer.

Then step by step, he is expected to become a town guard.

Shen Changqing's predecessor was a trainee demon slayer in the Demon Suppression Division, and he was also the lowest level of the demon slayer envoys.

Have memories of the predecessor.

He is also very familiar with the environment of the Demon Suppression Division.

It didn't take long for Shen Changqing to stop in front of an attic.

Unlike other places full of slaughter, the attic here seems to stand out from the crowd, and in the bloody Demon Suppression Division, it presents a different tranquility.

At this time, the attic door is open, and there are occasional people entering and exiting.

Shen Changqing only hesitated for a moment, and then stepped in.

Access to the attic.

The environment has changed in vain.

A burst of ink fragrance mixed with the faint smell of blood came to his face, making his brow furrow instinctively, but quickly stretched.

The smell of blood on everyone's body in the Demon Suppression Division is almost impossible to clean.