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Chang'an has gradually become lively during this period, not because the Hefei Battle ended and the prices gradually fell, nor because the soldiers received generous rewards, and the soldiers and their families had a lot of money in their pockets and their purchasing power increased greatly.

The reason is that the second public imperial examination in the Han Dynasty will be held in August, a month later. It has been called the autumn examination every year. The news spread all over the world, making everyone in the world cheer. The scholars from Liaodong to Liaodong in the north, Jiaozhou in the south, and Dunhuang in the west all yearned for this opportunity to enter the government.

There is a living example. The taxi admitted to the Xiangyang Imperial Examination, now the worst-ever county magistrate, and some people have even been promoted to guardians. This is the role model for all scholars, which makes scholars all over the world excited.

Ten days after the news was announced, soldiers began to arrive in Chang'an one after another. These were taxis close to Chang'an, such as Longxi, Guanzhong, Hanzhong, Bashu, etc. They yearned for Chang'an and came to Chang'an early.

Everyone knows that Chang'an has the best great scholars, the best schools, and even high-ranking officials from the Han Dynasty are concentrated here. If they can become students of a high-ranking official, perhaps they can be able to take the high school list.

With all kinds of dreams, soldiers flocked from all directions, filling Chang'an's hostels and residences, or staying in Chang'an's houses. In just a few days, nearly 20,000 soldiers flocked into Chang'an City.

The business of various taverns in Chang'an is becoming more and more prosperous. Many taverns have specially launched sales buildings, setting up a floor or a restaurant for the special purpose of the salesmen. Every day, the guests are crowded and the business is extremely popular.

The reason why scholars like to gather in taverns is very simple, because you can hear a lot of news in the taverns, and you can get information useful to you from all kinds of real and fake news.

For example, a joke that once born, several scholars from Zheng County, Longxi County heard in a tavern that the examiner this year was Zhang Lian, a fellow villager who was the left minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Several scholars discussed gathering money to buy high-quality silk to visit fellow villagers, and hesitantly expressed their hope that Zhang Lian would take care of them in the imperial examination.

As a result, Zhang Lian and others were bombarded out. Finally, they realized that the examiner usually had to be appointed ten days before the exam, and what they heard in the tavern was fake news.

Despite this, the scholars flocked to major taverns, which also showed their desire for high school from one aspect.

At noon that day, in the Ba Tavern outside the East City of Chang'an, famous scholars gathered on the second floor, talking loudly and noisy, and a middle-aged man sat in a corner of the tavern, listening to the scholar's comments without showing any expression.

This middle-aged man was Chen Qun, the envoy sent by Cao Cao. Chen Qun no longer knew how many times he had come to Chang'an. This time he came to discuss the wedding date with Liu Jing to marry Cao Xian. It happened that Liu Jing had not returned to Hanzhong, so he had to wait for a few days.

Chen Qun shouldered another task that Cao Pi gave him to inspect the imperial examinations of the Han Dynasty. Cao Pi was also determined to imitate the Han Dynasty. He held a spring exam in Yedu next spring, which would also attract talents from all over the world to come and surrender.

There was a quarrel in the lobby, and several scholars were arguing about the scope of this year's test questions. Someone shouted loudly: "You have forgotten, I can't forget that the last time the Xiangyang imperial examination questions were mainly the Legalists. This is the idea of ​​the King of Han. It is good. How can the people below not welcome them? This year's test questions must be mainly the Legalists. Come and read them carefully."

There was applause from the people around him, and a young man opposite Chen Qun curled his lips and sneered: "Even such stupid people come to participate in the imperial examination. No wonder so many people came to Chang'an."

Chen Qun asked curiously: "This little friend doesn't seem to agree with the Legalism theory."

The young scholar bowed and said, "The King of Han has always regarded the Legalists as his muscles and bones, Confucianists as his skin and flesh, and Taoism as his essence and blood. All the families attach importance to it and will never be biased towards one side. The last time the Legalists exam was mainly based on the Legalists' test questions because the people of Yizhou and Jingzhou were dissipated and the people were not afraid of the law, which was not conducive to the government's governance. Therefore, the King of Han decided to strengthen the law in Jingyi and implement severe punishments and severe laws. In this environment, the imperial examinations in Xiangyang were influenced by the Legalists, and the Legalists exam questions were mainly based on the Legalists. Now, I will mention the Legalists as the main one. Wouldn't it be a carving boat to seek a sword?"

Chen Qun laughed, "My friend is right, I don't know which side I think this year's test questions will be biased towards."

The young man smiled proudly and said, "I personally think it is mainly based on Confucianism and Taoism."

"Why do you think so?" Chen Qun was even more surprised and asked with a smile.

"The reason is very simple. The Han and Cao armies had just experienced the Hefei War and were both seriously injured. The Han Dynasty had set up a two-year alliance with Cao Cao for this. In fact, they wanted to spend two years to recuperate and restore the economy. Naturally, they needed to be governed by inaction. This is the Taoist idea and the most urgent requirement of the Han Dynasty for governments in various places. They are not allowed to disturb the people and let the people recuperate."

Chen Qun nodded, "It makes sense, then why is there Confucianism?"

The young man smiled proudly and lowered his voice: "When the world is about to be unified, the King of Han should of course make some gestures to show the Central Plains gentry, so that they can feel that the Han Dynasty also respects Confucianism. Isn't the imperial examination the best publicity?"

Chen Qun suddenly realized and smiled happily: "My friend is right. I have received the teachings. I don't know where I am from my name."

The young man stood up and bowed and said, "I am Jiang Wei from Longxi, and I will also participate in the imperial examination this year."

Chen Qun smiled happily and said, "It turns out it's Mr. Jiang, I wish Mr. Jiang this year high school."

.........

The next morning, Liu Jing returned from Hanzhong inspection and returned to Chang'an. At this time, Liu Jing had already learned the battle report of regaining Wuwei. Although this was a message worth celebrating, for Liu Jing, this was within his expectations. Although the horse was ambitious, the Qiang people he relied on were far inferior to the Xiongnu. Without great combat power, it would be a matter of time before he perished.

But what made Liu Jing feel a little regretful was that Ma was unable to become the important official of the frontier he relied on in the end, but betrayed him. This was also the first general to betray him since Liu Jing started his rebellion from Chaisang, and he also hoped to be the last one.

As soon as Liu Jing returned to the mansion, a guard came to report, "Cao Cao's envoy Chen Qun was asking for a meeting outside the mansion."

This made Liu Jing a little stunned. Why did Chen Qun come so coincidental? He came to visit him as soon as he returned to the mansion. Could it be that he had come a long time ago?

Without thinking carefully, Liu Jing immediately ordered: "Take him to the guesthouse for a while."

Liu Jing got up and was about to go to the guest hall. At this time, his wife Tao Zhan walked into the study, changed his outer robe for him, and smiled and said, "I guess the messenger is here to talk about marriage, and the little lady of the Cao family may be entering the house."

Liu Jing actually thought that he told his wife not long ago that Liu Cao's marriage would continue, so Tao Zhan sent someone to send a long dress. Now Cao Cao's envoy has come, but he does not go to Pingzhangtai to pay a visit, but comes to his own residence. Of course, this is for marriage.

"The daughter of the Cao family is about to enter the house, but the virtuous wife can accept it calmly," Liu Jing asked jokingly.

Tao Zhan sighed and said helplessly: "It is easy to marry a thousand women with a status like his husband. The etiquette system also stipulates that his husband needs to marry twenty-four wives. Why should I be a villain? Moreover, I have seen Cao's little mother. She is a good person, virtuous, polite, and very good-looking. I like it too. In addition, I heard that her father was going to find a husband for her, but she refused, which means that she is very infatuated with you. This matter cannot be delayed every year, and she can't wait."

Liu Jing nodded, "It's not like being infatuated, but she is very smart. She knows the importance of this marriage to the Cao family, so she is determined to share her father's worries and sacrifice herself. She is indeed a good daughter."

"Don't say it so badly, you don't understand the woman's heart."

Liu Jing smiled, turned around and walked towards the outside house. Tao Zhan saw her husband walking away, and his brow frowned slightly. If the wedding date is set, the time will be soon, and they also need to prepare, especially Cao Xian's residence. Tao Zhan thought about it. Mingyue Tower is more suitable, and she needs to let someone clean up. Tao Zhan was thinking about the things he needed and walked quickly towards Mingyue Tower.

Chen Qun sat in the guest hall and waited patiently, drinking tea slowly. At this time, footsteps came from outside, and the maid gently reminded him, "Sir, the palace is down."

Chen Qun stood up and saw Liu Jing, the King of Han, quickly walking up the steps. Chen Qun hurriedly greeted him and gave a deep bow, "I'm going to see His Highness the King of Han."

"Chen Zhongcheng, we meet again." Liu Jing said with a smile.

Chen Qun suddenly remembered that Liu Jing wanted him to serve the Han State. He felt a little nervous. Will Liu Jing advise him to stay again this time? Although he was uneasy, Chen Qun still restrained his inner anxiety and said respectfully: "I am here on the entrusted by Gong Wei to come to His Highness the King of Han to talk about the marriage agreed before."

He took out another scroll and presented it to Liu Jing, "This is a handwritten letter from Duke Wei to His Highness. Please read it."

Liu Jing nodded, "This matter has been delayed for two years, and it is really impossible to delay it anymore. Zhongcheng asked him to sit down."

Liu Jing asked Chen Qun to sit down and asked the maid to serve tea. He looked at Cao Cao's letter and said it was very polite. He hoped that the two families would marry as soon as possible. The daughter would grow older and should not be delayed. He hoped that the marriage would be completed as soon as possible.

The letter is a father's eager expectation for his daughter to get married, and he did not talk about anything else. In fact, this is a gesture of Cao Cao to ease the relationship. Liu Jing put away the letter and asked with a smile: "Mr. Wei is in good health."

"Mr. Wei is in good health, but he is old and cannot be compared with the past. His physical strength and energy are not as good as before, and his military and political affairs are basically handed over to the world."

"Military and Political Affairs"

Liu Jing smiled and said, "Have you even handed over the military power to the world?"

Chen Qun was a little embarrassed and said for a while: "I cannot answer this matter, please forgive me."

"Haha I just asked casually, don't take it to heart."

At this time, Chen Qun turned the topic back to the main business, "Your Highness, the previous process of marriage has basically been completed. Today I am discussing the appointment and the marriage. In fact, the details of the marriage have been discussed. Mr. Wei will not need to be changed. It will be done according to the previous plan. The key now is to invite appointment, which is also my mission this time. I hope His Highness can determine the specific date of marriage."

Liu Jing pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, this matter should be discussed with Pingzhang Platform. Chen Zhongcheng should not come to me directly. After all, this is not my personal matter, and Pingzhang Platform has been introduced in the previous few times."

Chen Qun hurriedly said, "I have already talked with Pingzhangtai. The ministers hoped that they would marry soon, but the specific time would be decided by the palace. Moreover, Mr. Wei also hoped that this matter was both public and private, and it would be best to get the princess' attitude."

Liu Jing nodded and ordered the maid in the hall to say, "Go and invite the princess."
Chapter completed!