"Open a subject to get a scholarship?!"

"Did Xuan Guo really release the news?"

In a tea shop, several scholar-looking people in student uniforms were gathering together to discuss.

"It's not just news, it's a formal announcement from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Culture."

"Brother Li, where did you see it? Why didn't I see it?! And... what kind of yamen is this Ministry of Culture?"

"culture??"

"The interweaving of hardness and softness is astronomical; civilization has been limited to humanities. Observe astronomy to observe the changes of time, and observe humanities to transform the world. Could it be a yamen similar to Qin Tianjian?!"

"...What and what! It was renamed and reorganized from "Xinmin Digest"~!"

"Ahem, cough, cough... Oh, I see... Now it's time for me to show my ambition. I've been under the control of those Qiu Ba for more than a year, and I feel really unhappy...!"

The other scholars gestured to each other with their eyes, knowing something secretly in their hearts.

They knew that the reason for this man's dissatisfaction was not because of military control, but because most of his family's land had been taken over by the Taiping Army and distributed to the people.

Who knows that their family used to rely on their power to seize a large amount of fertile fields and fertile soil. When the [Taiping Army] came, they directly went into battle with swords and spears, not caring about their bribery methods.

In the eyes of other students, this is already a sign of reasonableness and strict discipline. Otherwise, according to the disasters of soldiers and bandits recorded in history books, how could this person be complaining here now?!

"However, "Xinmin Digest" said that this time it is not just about poetry, songs, and classic articles, but about specific affairs strategies. In other words, what this Daxuan Kingdom wants is real talent for managing the world!~~"

"...to run the country and help the world..."

There are also scholars in the crowd who are clear-minded and have their own understanding of the situation.

"That's right. In the current situation, people who only know how to talk are of no use to the country!~"

The scholar who was more informed continued to reveal:

"More importantly, not every exam paper this time is the same..."

When everyone saw that he was cheating, they were "furious".

"Pa!~"

He slammed the table.

He shouted: "Waiter, serve tea, serve good tea!~"

………………

Nie Mansion.

Nie Mingcheng, Nie Xiaoqian and Ning Caichen sat opposite each other.

Ning Caichen was already engaged to Nie Xiaoqian, and it was his mother who came forward to negotiate with Nie Mingcheng. Therefore, Nie Mingcheng was now regarded as Ning Caichen's darling.

Nie Mingcheng had a good impression of this young man. He was always unhappy when he thought of his daughter getting engaged like this. However, Nie Xiaoqian has had her own opinions since she was a child. In the past few years, Nie Mingcheng's thinking and insight made Nie Mingcheng secretly sigh,

How nice it would be if it were a man!~

After a life and death crisis, the two met each other's eyes, and Nie Mingcheng had no choice but to hold his nose and agree. Otherwise, if there was a private life-long affair with Lang Ye, Nie Mingcheng would probably have the heart to die...

…

This was not unfounded. He had heard some anecdotes about the inner courtyards of the houses of powerful people before. At that time, it was a rumor that was discussed among classmates during their leisure time while studying.

"Are you sure you want to take part in this imperial examination?"

Nie Mingcheng stared at Ning Caichen.

"Are you sure? You must know that the test questions this time are different for each yamen, and they pay special attention to the ability to manage the world and the country..."

"You are now a teacher in an academy. You are under the command of...the Ministry of Education. As a teacher and educator, you are respected by others. If you went to another yamen, you would not have so much leisure."

Ning Caichen also knew that the content of this imperial examination was very different from the past.

Because the Ministry of Culture's "Xinmin Digest" has published instructions that each department must examine specific service capabilities.

for example:

The Ministry of Justice requires candidates to memorize the laws and regulations of the Xuan Kingdom thoroughly. To this end, the Xuan Kingdom has also published a large number of "Da Xuan Law" books, but the problem is that the book is three inches thick. However, the exam will be held in two months.

;

Similarly, the Ministry of Agriculture published "Essentials of Agriculture", which summarizes [Taipingdao]'s agricultural and animal husbandry production experience in the past ten years, food processing and storage, utilization of wild plants, and methods of famine control. It is introduced in detail.

Understand the seasons, climate, and the relationship between different soils and different crops;

The Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Water Resources, etc. have all published their own examination standards and selection requirements. Of course, the more important technologies have not been disseminated, such as steel smelting, forging fine steel and other military technologies, so naturally it is impossible to publish them.

…………

Even so, most candidates complain endlessly.

The article classics they learned are really not of much help at the moment. On the contrary, those who were previously excluded by them and studied miscellaneous books have a much greater chance.

These scholars were naturally dissatisfied and wanted to cause trouble, but the people of Yangzhou were no longer the kind of people who could be fooled by them at will.

After Ning Caichen learned about this situation, he still wanted to jump out of the academy, so Nie Mingcheng came to talk to him this time.

After all, the two families are engaged and can be regarded as one family. As the elder, he naturally has to help the young people to give good advice and not do things based on impulse.

"Uncle, I think I am more interested in financial auditing. Moreover, I have been keen on the amount of entries and exits in accounts since I was a child, so..."

Ning Caichen originally chose to teach Meng Tong in the academy because his family was in a tight situation and urgently needed him to supplement the family income. He couldn't keep watching his mother do needlework for others. Even if his mother was willing, he couldn't bear it.

Later, after about a year, relying on the salary from the academy, the family's embarrassment was finally alleviated. Ning's mother no longer had to do laundry and stitching for others. He even hired a few people to repair the house.

The opening of this course to obtain a bachelor's degree is an opportunity.

Rather than teaching children how to read and write, Ning Caichen found that he preferred economic governance, which allowed him to clearly understand the real life conditions of people everywhere.

"Uncle, actually, if Xiaoqian hadn't been under age, she could have participated."

Yes, this time Hong Kang opened the examination to obtain scholars not only without household registration, but also without restrictions on men and women. This was also a major change to the traditional imperial examination.

It even caused many people to talk about it. Some people criticized behind their backs and also ridiculed, how much real talent can a mere woman have!~

Nie Xiaoqian poured tea for the two men.

Smiling slightly: "Anyway, I will be sixteen years old in another year, and I can sign up by then..."

Nie Mingcheng put down the teacup heavily.

He yelled: "No! What's the matter with you going out to show your face as a woman?! You also want to break into the house~! This is Si Chen, the world is turned upside down..."

The rest of the words were stuck because Nie's mother walked out unexpectedly.

Nie Mingcheng stood up and helped: "Madam, you are weak. It's getting colder now, so don't wander around."

"Mother." ("Uncle.")

Mother Nie looked at her daughter and prospective son-in-law tenderly, and felt that the two of them, standing together, looked like a perfect couple~!

"Sir, I don't think Qian'er's ambition is extraordinary. Isn't it already mentioned in the book? Red sleeves can hold up half the sky and discipline the mountains and rivers to change their appearance..."

"We, Qian'er, have been trained by the master since we were young. We are well-educated and sensible, and our minds are quick. We are no worse than that man, right?!"

Nie Mingcheng helped his wife sit down and listened to her words. He was slightly pleased with himself and spoke instinctively.

"Of course it is...!"

Then, he realized what his wife was saying to him!

Moreover, the idea that red sleeves can hold up half the sky, in Nie Mingcheng's view, is just nonsense to deceive people.

"Madam, you don't know, I'm just worried..."

But Nie's mother ignored him and turned directly to Nie Xiaoqian.

"Qian'er, which department do you have your eye on?"

"My daughter has thought about it and will prepare for the medical exam next year."

"Medicine department? But you have never studied medicine! Can you pass this entrance exam?"

Although she was in poor health and had been staying in the inner courtyard, Nie's mother was not completely ignorant of outside news. This was thanks to the Xinmin Digest that Nie Xiaoqian brought her every issue.

Nie Xiaoqian's expression was firm and her eyes were clear.

"Mom, I will definitely pass the exam."

"If I learn advanced medical skills, if you and dad feel uncomfortable in the future, I will immediately know how to treat it."

"this…………"

Nie Mingcheng and his wife looked at each other and were happy that their daughter had such filial piety.

………………

Blackwater Palace.

Taoist Yan was a little restless.

He didn’t know why the king suddenly summoned him?!

It was the first time for him to meet the Lord, and he thought he would be calm and composed. However, when he approached the Black Water Palace, Taoist Yan's soul was frantically warning him, because Taoist Yan clearly felt that his soul was like a man behind his back.
To be continued...