According to the rules, on the second day of the unveiling of the township test, the local government will invite all the local newcomers to the banquet.

The name of this banquet is called "Deer Ming Banquet", which takes the auspicious meaning of "Yo Yo Deer Song". Corresponding to the "Qionglin Banquet" after the title of the palace test gold list.

The deer banquet was made in the Tang Dynasty, and there was no venison at the banquet.

During the Hongwu Dynasty, Yang Xian ruled Yangzhou. Once, when he presided over a deer feast, he said, "How can a deer feast be without venison?" ”。 Then he ordered a deer to be found, killed and eaten by the people.

When Liu Bowen heard about this incident, he commented that his students were "too ambitious and have the intention of chasing the Central Plains". So he broke off diplomatic relations with him.

Sure enough, within a few years, Yang Xian was killed by his grandfather for crimes such as gaining power and domineering.

However, the custom of eating venison at the deer feast has been retained.

The location of the deer banquet in Shuntianfu is in the back of the palace.

Among the eight prefectures and two states in the north of Zhili, the Shuntianfu style of learning is the most prosperous. Naturally, there were the largest number of lifters, with thirty-five people.

After Chang Feng participated in the early court of the imperial gate, he went to Jinyiwei to deal with official business for an hour and a half. Then he went home to bathe and change clothes, changed into a shirt with a plate collar, and put on a square scarf. dressed as a scholar, he happily went to the deer feast.

Before Chang Feng joined Jinyiwei, his biggest dream was to have the honor to participate in a deer banquet in this life.

This time, I got what I wanted.

Chang Feng came to the back of Shuntian Mansion and waited for the banquet with a group of new people.

Yayuan Huang Juren is the highest-ranking person in Shuntian Mansion. Ranked third on the laurel list. Naturally, he became the center of attention.

Seeing Chang Feng coming over, Huang Juren took the initiative to talk: "Dare to ask the same year's honorable surname?" What is the second place on the list? ”

Chang Feng replied: "Under Chang Feng, I am ashamed, I am at the end of the laurel list, ninety-eight." ”

Huang Juren had never heard of Chang Feng's name. This is not surprising, some people who read books don't even know who Su Shi is.

These people don't listen to what is going on outside the window, and they only read the books of the sages. Don't say you don't care about the current situation, even if you read Tang poems and Song lyrics, you will be denounced as "intoxicated with miscellaneous studies and not doing your job".

Only the Four Books and Five Classics and Cheng Zhu's study are their "true business".

Huang Juren is a dog-faced, and he will change when he says it. He restrained his smile, and a look of disdain appeared on his face: "Oh, ninety-eight should be the last among the new people of Shuntian Mansion." You stand at the back of the line. ”

"After a while, I will sit at the last seat of the deer feast, remember?"

It's normal for Yayuan to look down on the bottom of the list. Chang Feng retreated to the back of the team with a sense of humor.

Next, he heard a conversation that shocked him.

Huang Juren said with a smile: "Do you know what the word 'Luming' in the Luming Banquet means?" ”

Li Judao, who was next to him, said: "Please also ask Brother Huang to teach you." ”

Huang Judao: "Deer, Lu Ye." Naruto, the name also. The name of the Lu, the name of fame. ”

"Scholars have studied hard for ten years, in addition to the public heart of serving the country loyally, there is also a small selfishness to be promoted and make a fortune."

"The new middle school is the beginning of entering the 'Lu'. But the ancients were humble and did not want to talk about being promoted and making a fortune. Therefore, the homonym 'deer' is taken. ”

"As for the 'name'. That's better to explain. Once known to the world, he was famous in Shilin. Take the homophonic 'Ming'! ”

Li Juren smiled: "Brother Huang's words are too incisive! As soon as the list was released yesterday, more than 20 people came to me to volunteer. A total of 200 acres of land were acquired. ”

"Several gentry from the same county gathered two hundred taels of silver to congratulate me."

The fields under the name of the person are tax-exempt. The people who had land would hang their land in the name of the people.

They were charged a rent lower than the land endowment. This is called "effectiveness".

As for the congratulatory silver after the middle lift, it was a kind of political investment for the gentry.

If you get the middle school, you can at least be the main hall of Qipin County.

If you fail to win the test repeatedly, you can give up the examination, go to the official department to sign a sign, and participate in the "big challenge".

If you are lucky enough to pass the big pick, you can be an eighth or ninth grade official such as the county secretary and the main bookkeeper.

Don't underestimate these sesame officials. Sometimes a note can help the gentry calm down big incidents, and a word can make the gentry make a windfall.

Huang Juren and Li Juren started talking. A group of lifters began to show off how much benefit they had gained from just one day of lifting.

"There is a lord Wang in our county, who used to be a magistrate of the county. There were always five or six thousand acres of land in his family. Yesterday I was lifted, and he gave me four young maids. He said it was for me to warm my bed. ”

"Dude, what a blessing. I don't have anyone to send a woman. But someone gave me 300 acres of land. He also gave me a house. ”

"I'm not motivated. This time, if you win the lift, you won't go up the test. Go to the ministry to hang a sign and wait for a big pick. If you can be released as a county magistrate, you can earn 1,800 taels of silver if you don't have a good job at the end of your three-year term. ”

In Chang Feng's imagination, the new imperial examination people who participated in the Luming banquet should discuss moral articles, or how to be good officials in the future, how to love the people and serve the court.

But now, this group of rotten Confucians, who are full of benevolence, righteousness and morality written on the examination papers, are foaming at the stars, discussing silver, houses, fields, and women.

As if they were not scholars, but businessmen. The ten-year cold window is their capital. After many years of blood, now it's finally time to make money.

The more Chang Feng listened, the more frightened he became.

Are these the "pillars" of the Ming Dynasty? Are these the future officials of the Ming Dynasty?

Chang Feng suddenly remembered what Kong Hongtai said when he was in the Confucian Mansion in Qufu three years ago: "Scholars, once you are promoted, you will become an official." Good people become evil spirits! ”

Liang Fuyin of Shuntian Mansion came to the door of the Houya and personally greeted the young talents who had just been promoted.

A group of people knelt down and saluted Liang Fu Yin: "The student has seen Lord Liang." ”

Chang Feng did not kneel down, and he did not bow to himself.

Huang Juren scolded: "At the end of the list, you dare not respect the constitution? ”

Chang Feng was too lazy to speak.

Liang Fuyin saw that it was Chang Feng who was standing, and hurriedly gave his hand: "Ah, it's Chang Ye of Jinyiwei!" ”

Huang Juren was shocked when he saw this scene.

Liang Fu Yin said: "Chang Qianhu has to be promoted, and the emperor is full of praise for you." Being able to come to the Deer Banquet today really makes the Dear Ya shine. ”

"Oh, when Lord Liu Bingyi was the political envoy of Beizhili, I was the prefect of Shunde under him. Speaking of which, I am a cordial brother to you. ”

Chang Feng walked in front of Liang Fuyin, and said, "I won't participate in the Luming Banquet." Because I don't want to go to a feast with a group of people who only know how to get promoted and make a fortune! ”

"Liang Fuyin doesn't know, when they were chatting just now, they didn't leave money, land, house and women in three sentences!"

After speaking, Chang Feng deliberately walked in front of Yayuan Huang Juren and said in a loud voice: "The imperial examination is a great ceremony for the imperial court. But in this section, I can only say that Shuntianfu has selected a group of silverfish who are bent on promotion and wealth! ”

"I don't care to be in the company of people like you!"

After speaking, Chang Feng left angrily.

After Liang Fuyin was stunned, he angrily scolded Huang Juren: "What did you just say in front of Chang Qianhu? Do you know that he is a big celebrity next to the emperor! ”

"If he says a few words in front of the emperor. Don't talk about your fame, even my three-grade black yarn may not be able to keep it! ”

Chang Feng returned to the mansion angrily.

He could see the true faces of this group of people who read the books of the sages. It is no wonder that corrupt officials can never be caught, and the mansions of corrupt officials can never be copied.

Liu Xiaoyan was angry when she saw Chang Feng. Q: "What's wrong?" ”

Chang Feng told Liu Xiaoyan what he had seen and heard outside the back office of Shuntian Mansion.

Liu Xiaoyan said: "What's strange about this. The people you meet are exactly like my father. How many of the scholars and officials of the Ming Dynasty are not like that? ”

"Loyal ministers and famous ministers like Wang Shu and Ma Wensheng who go through the imperial examination to enter the office, I am afraid that there is no one in a hundred, and there is no one in a thousand."

"As long as you have a clear conscience, why care what they look like?"

Chang Feng calmed down: "Alas. Wearing a shirt with a collar, I really got angry with the book. You're right. Officialdom is a big. ”

"It's not easy to be clean. How can you expect other people to come out of feces without staining? ”

At this time, Tangtang walked in, holding a porcelain bowl and a teacup in his hand: "Brother, didn't you say that you want to 'smash it'?" I'm all set! ”

"Smashing" is a custom after the Ming Dynasty scholars.

Whenever you get lifted, you have to smash the old things in the house. Because soon someone will come and deliver a new set. It also takes an auspicious meaning of breaking the old and welcoming the new.

Chang Feng said: "Don't smash it!" Good end of the thing, smash it for nothing. ”

The next morning.

Geng Yu, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, first came out to play: "Your Majesty, the envoy of Turpan paid tribute to the Ming Dynasty with a pair of lions. ”

The Turpan Department of the Western Regions has always coveted the Hamiwei controlled by the Ming Dynasty. Nothing to be courteous, either a traitor or a thief.

There is a way that is good at the top, but it will be very bad at the bottom.

Xianzong likes to touch fish and lie flat. An official like Liu Ji can get by when he encounters problems. As long as I don't do things and don't make suggestions, the emperor will be idle. Hello, hello, everyone.

Emperor Hongzhi likes ministers who can speak and dare to admonish. Liu Ji has changed in the past two years, and he can put forward a bunch of suggestions every morning.

Liu Ji went out of class and said: "Your Majesty." Turpan repeatedly committed Hamiwei. Their angels sent lions, but they did not know what their intentions were. ”

"I heard that a lion eats two sheep a day. A pair is four. That's more than 1,400 sheep a year. And fifty soldiers are guarding it every day. ”

"Spending livestock and military strength in order to raise a pair of lions is contrary to the emperor's concept of governing the country diligently and thriftily!"

"The minister suggested that the two lions should be starved to death."

Emperor Hongzhi said: "God has the virtue of a good life." Starving a lion to death is always a bit unkind. I heard that many of the wealthy families in Beijing like to raise exotic beasts. ”

"It is better to sell it to the rich and get the money into the treasury."

The ministers shouted: "The emperor is wise." ”

Emperor Hongzhi was a young man. Young people often have a strong curiosity about the unknown.

Liu Ji did what he liked, and said: "Your Majesty." The ministers asked to select 120 prisoners and send them to the Siyi Hall of the Hanlin Academy to learn Yi language. ”

"Among them, there are fifteen people each in the Tatar Pavilion, the Nüzhi Pavilion, the Xifan Pavilion, the Xitian Pavilion, the Huihui Pavilion, the Baiyi Pavilion, the Gaochang Pavilion, and the Myanmar Pavilion."

"Three years later, the Hanlin Academy will take the exam in conjunction with the Ministry of Rites. Those who pass the test are designated as food children. Give rice a stone a month. ”

If you want to understand the region outside of the Ming Dynasty, you need to train a large number of interpreters.

Liu Ji's suggestion can be regarded as talking about Emperor Hongzhi's heart.

Emperor Hongzhi said: "Shousuke's suggestion is very good. Intended to be carried out! ”

In the next play, Emperor Hongzhi showed a model of a clear monarch.

Wang Shu suggested that Emperor Hongzhi should have a feast in the future, regardless of cold and summer.

This is an overly high suggestion. Originally, there were only four months of the year when there were no feasts. They are June, July, wax moon, and first month.

Similar to the emperor's winter and summer vacations.

Lao Wang directly wanted to cancel the emperor's winter and summer vacations.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Hongzhi readily agreed: "Quasi-play!" ”

Today's palace feasts are not at all like the previous group of rotten Confucians.

Emperor Hongzhi had already made the banquet a pre-imperial meeting for a slight discussion of policies.

Ma Wensheng suggested that palace superstitions and entertainment activities such as palace viewing and Jiao, Xitianchang chanting, and Lantern Festival lantern banquet should be abolished.

Emperor Hongzhi agreed. Sure enough, it's Mingjun!

However, young people always make mistakes. Changfeng will make mistakes, and Emperor Hongzhi will also make mistakes.

Emperor Hongzhi suddenly said: "I have been thinking about it recently, and I have thought of a national policy that benefits the country and the people. ”

"Xiao Jing, read the will I have drafted to the ministers."

This was a surprise attack carried out by Emperor Hongzhi.

Since his accession to the throne for two years, almost all the major national policies and policies he formulated have been implemented after discussions with Wang Shu, Ma Wensheng and other important ministers.

This time, he wanted to bypass those courtiers and formulate a major policy of governing the country by himself to benefit the people of Li.

Xiao Jing began to recite the proposed decree: "There is an edict. It is the autumn harvest, and the two capitals and 13 provinces report a bumper harvest. Those who are prepared, there is no trouble. Plan ahead. ”

"All prefectures and counties should take advantage of the good year to accumulate grain and grain to prepare for the disaster year."

"Those who are less than ten miles in Fanzhou County will accumulate five thousand stones in the valley; those who are more than ten miles and less than twenty miles shall accumulate fifteen thousand stones; twenty miles of twenty thousand stones; 800 miles accumulate 190,000 stones; 5,000 stones accumulated by Wei Qianhu; 300 stone accumulated by 100 households. ”

"Those who exceed the limit of the valley are competent, those who pass are promoted, and those who fail are punished. Prefecture, state, county, and military and guard officers were deposed accordingly. ”

"Chin this!"

The original intention of this will is good. Take advantage of the good year to let the official warehouses in various places accumulate grain.

I have food in my hand, and I don't panic in my heart. In a disaster year, there will be sufficient food for disaster relief.

The scriptures are good scriptures.

But Wang Shu, Ma Wensheng and other people who have been through the ups and downs of the sea for a long time know that the scriptures need to be recited by monks at every level.

At the bottom, it is unknown what the sutra will look like!

However, they were not in a position to raise objections at the moment.

Because this is the first major policy formulated by Emperor Hongzhi independently. As an auxiliary minister, if he raised an objection at this moment, it would definitely damage the emperor's authority.

Liu Ji took the lead and shouted: "The emperor is wise! The ministers echoed.

Chang Feng also felt that this will was wise and good governance.

Emperor Hongzhi said: "The matter of accumulating grain is limited to half a year. In March next year, I will send a messenger to inspect various places to check the amount of grain in stock. ”

After the dispersal of the dynasty, Chang Feng withdrew from the imperial gate with his ministers.

He heard very different discussions about Emperor Hongzhi's grain hoarding policy.

Liu Jimei danced and said to his colleagues: "The emperor is so wise! The common people all know that in a good harvest year, they must stock up on grain to prepare for famine. A country is a country, a country is not like a home? ”

"The emperor has drawn up such a great and good decree, and our cabinet must immediately draft and implement the decree."

Wang Shu asked Ma Wensheng: "What do you think?" ”

Ma Wensheng said in a low voice: "Take a look." ”

The days passed. Zhuang Zhuang grew up day by day and has learned to walk.

In the blink of an eye, it was March of the third year of Hongzhi.

On the banks of the Yongding River in the capital.

Chang Feng led Tangtang, Zhuang Zhuang and Liu Xiaoyan to spring.

Ten-year-old Sugar Candy picked a bunch of wildflowers and filled the head of a one-and-a-half-year-old sturdy one-and-a-half-year-old.

Zhuang Zhuang couldn't speak, so he could only "babble" and wave his small fists to express his anger at his aunt's flower arrangement.

Twenty-four-year-old Chang Feng was holding a dog's tail grass in his mouth, lying on the grass with Erlang's legs crossed, enjoying the sunshine comfortably.

It has been four years since that dangerous autumn night in the twenty-second year of Chenghua.

Today's regular wind is no longer what it used to be. He won the trust of Emperor Hongzhi and the support of Weizhong Paoze. Beizhen Fu made Sun Luan seriously ill, and Beisi should be in charge of affairs, and he has been taking care of it all in the past six months.

It was only a matter of time before he was promoted to the envoy of Beizhen.

In February, he took the examination as a lifter, and it was no surprise that he fell to Sun Shan. After all, the test is the best among the entire Ming scholars.

He didn't feel bad either. He, the emperor's celebrity, participated in the examination, just playing tickets.

The Ninth Lady didn't come with her. Now Liu Xiaoyan of the Chang family is outside, and the ninth lady is inside.

Liu Xiaoyan socializes with the noblewomen in Beijing on weekdays, and she has nothing to do to visit her sister Empress Zhang.

The Ninth Lady is in charge of the servants, consumption, purchase, firewood, rice, oil and salt.

The fly in the ointment is that Chang Feng has been a concubine for one year and three months, and the two of them stay up all night every few days is ridiculous, and everyone is about to be spoiled by him, but he doesn't see Mrs. Nine pregnant.

It may be that Mrs. Nine had a bed with others before she followed Chang Feng. She used an overdose of musk for contraception, which caused her infertility today. Of course, it was impossible for the Ninth Lady to tell Chang Feng about this.

At the end of the morning, Chang Feng drove the carriage, and the family returned home.

As soon as he entered the mansion, Chang Feng saw that Mrs. Nine was directing the servants to carry bags of grain and rice to the house.

Chang Feng was a little strange: "What are you buying so much grain for?" ”

Mrs. Nine said: "We have a family of six, six servants, eight maids, and two cooks. Twenty-two people, do you know how much grain and rice you have to eat in a day? ”

Chang Feng is now a powerful celebrity in the capital. Although he is not corrupt or accepts bribes, the rewards from Queen Zhang's side are not small.

The old father-in-law Liu Bingyi has been an official for many years and has saved a lot of silver. When Liu Xiaoyan got married, the amount of silver and land for the dowry was not a small amount.

Mrs. Nine has been in the black market business for many years. The dowry brought over is also a lot of money.

Therefore, the days of Changfeng's family are definitely rich. Since it is a rich and noble family, it is reasonable to hire a dozen servants, maids and cooks.

Chang Feng said: "Then you don't need to buy so much." ”

Mrs. Nine explained: "The price of grain in the capital has dropped by a full two percent. You, you don't know the price of firewood and rice. I can save a lot of money by taking advantage of the low price of food and raising more money. ”

The Ninth Lady is a thrifty person.

Chang Feng was a little strange: "You said that the price of grain has dropped by 20%? That's not right. It is supposed that grain prices will fall during the autumn harvest. In this spring season, the green and yellow are not connected. It should be when food prices are at their highest. ”

The Ninth Lady said, "Can I still lie to you?" The rice, millet, wheat, and millet in the capital are all 20% lower than in previous years! ”

In ancient times, an important criterion for judging the prosperity of a dynasty was the price of grain.

The lower the price of grain, the more prosperous the dynasty and the more abundant the output.

Chang Feng smiled: "Or do they all say that since the emperor ascended the throne for three years, the Ming Dynasty has had a prosperous era?" Hey, food prices have dropped so much. ”

Chang Feng didn't know that after the plummeting grain prices, there was a big warehouse case hidden.

(End of chapter)