Chapter 238: The Martial Examination Candidate Lu Xiangsheng

The sky was just beginning to lighten as the sun rose in the east. Fiery red sunlight spilled across the land.

The capital, which had slept through the night, seemed to be just waking up. Countless people streamed out of their homes—some pushing carts, some walking with carrying poles—beginning a new day of life.

Along street after street, clusters of three or five scholars appeared from time to time. At the same time, many carriages of nobles and meritorious families clattered past with a steady "du-du" of hooves.

These people traveled in groups, occasionally bursting into laughter, sometimes even arguing, but they were all headed in one direction.

Amid the crowds, one could occasionally spot figures of military men. Carrying blades on their waists and swords on their backs, they strode forward step by step.

Many were filled with hope, carrying aspirations for the future in their hearts, their steps firm and resolute.

On one road, a carriage that looked somewhat out of the ordinary was advancing slowly.

Surrounding the carriage was a group of fully armed black-clad guards, all wearing uniform standard-issue leather armor and carrying all manner of blades and spears—some even bore crossbows on their backs.

One glance was enough to tell that this entourage was no ordinary lot.

The carriage curtain was gently lifted, and Zhu Youxiao watched the crowds surging forward, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Glancing at the elderly man riding in the carriage with him, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "My dear minister, no need to be so tense. I am merely coming out for a look, to see the flourishing splendor of my Great Ming. Just accompany me, that will suffice."

"Your Majesty, the capital is crowded and chaotic to begin with, and today is the day of the Imperial Academy's examinations—the flow of people is complicated. If anything were to happen, how could I bear the responsibility?" Xu Guangqi said with a mournful face.

How had he ended up with a sovereign like this?

Zhu Youxiao simply smiled and said reassuringly: "It was I who insisted on leaving the palace—how could I blame you? Besides, this capital is the capital of Great Ming, beneath the very feet of the Son of Heaven. How could such a thing happen here?"

With that, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said: "The reason I asked you to accompany me today is that I wanted you to help me take a look. After all, this is the Imperial Academy's very first examination—who knows how things will turn out in the future. If it doesn't go well, there will likely be trouble ahead."

Hearing his sovereign speak thus, Xu Guangqi's expression immediately turned serious.

The Imperial Academy was their foundation. Although Han Kuang had now stuck his foot in and installed a Feng Congwu as libationer, in fact the Imperial Academy was still under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites—and Minister of Rites Shen Tingyun was one of their own.

In other words, Feng Congwu's arrival at the Imperial Academy counted at most as sand the Emperor had thrown in. So the Imperial Academy was still theirs.

Now hearing His Majesty say this, Xu Guangqi could not help but feel tense.

After all, the Imperial Academy was their foundation—they had even already formulated their development strategy.

In their vision, they would build up the capital's academy into something big and strong, then spread Imperial Academies across all thirteen provinces of Great Ming.

Wherever they opened one, all other local academies would be shut down. If you wanted to study at an academy, your only option would be the Ministry of Rites' Imperial Academy.

Under such circumstances, they could to a great extent cultivate their own people. At the same time, they could sever the traditional master-disciple relationships.

The master-disciple relationships in officialdom today had already reached a truly perverse extreme. The networks woven through such relationships had become the greatest engine for forming cliques and pursuing private interests.

The Imperial Academy was different—the Imperial Academy's teachers would always remain within the academy.

Officials who emerged from the Imperial Academy would, to some degree, form factions similar to those of same-year examination graduates, but their power would be far smaller.

Moreover, with even more branch academies of the Imperial Academy, it wouldn't be so easy to divide into factions.

Of course, they might still band together by region, but that limitation would be far more pronounced.

Setting everything else aside, for Xu Guangqi personally, the mere fact that it helped him nurture his juniors was reason enough that he could not abandon the Imperial Academy.

Now that His Majesty had spoken thus, Xu Guangqi bore the responsibility. He had to shoulder that duty and make His Majesty understand just how beneficial the Imperial Academy was, and how much effort they had poured into it.

So Xu Guangqi said: "Your Majesty, look at the scholars on the streets—each one full of hope, all heading toward the Imperial Academy. Clearly the Imperial Academy has won the people's hearts. This proves that Your Majesty's decision was supremely wise."

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Xu Guangqi, unmoved by his flattery.

Nodding lightly, Zhu Youxiao said: "I've just thought of something else. It seems we underestimated the Imperial Academy's appeal to military men. Look—so many on the streets are martial men."

This was something Zhu Youxiao truly hadn't expected. He had originally considered establishing a military academy, but the time wasn't right yet.

He hadn't imagined that by establishing an Imperial Academy, countless military men would swarm in—this brought Zhu Youxiao some delight.

If more of the graduates were military men, that would not be a bad thing for him—indeed, it would be a good thing.

Xu Guangqi carefully studied his sovereign, not daring to miss even the slightest change in expression. He wanted to see whether His Majesty was pleased or displeased with military men coming to take the examinations.

Seeing the smile on His Majesty's face, Xu Guangqi knew the Emperor was quite satisfied with this. He relaxed, and at the same time an idea formed in his mind.

Xu Guangqi said with a smile: "Clearly military men also have their hearts set on Great Ming. As for why they would come to take the Imperial Academy's examinations, I believe it has to do with the narrow path of advancement for military men."

Zhu Youxiao was taken aback, then asked: "Then tell me about it in detail, my dear minister."

Although Zhu Youxiao had some vague notions in his mind, they were not clear or distinct—indeed, rather muddled.

Since Xu Guangqi had raised the subject, let him speak—perhaps he could offer some inspiration.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xu Guangqi nodded gravely and said: "Since the founding Emperor ascended the throne, what Great Ming has practiced is the hereditary military household system."

"By the time of Emperor Shizong's reign, because the south needed to resist the Japanese pirates and the north needed to deal with the Tatars, the court's military strength was insufficient, so they began implementing conscription and hereditary military households in parallel."

"It was after that point that Great Ming repeatedly recruited soldiers. In my view, recruitment is indeed very good, but it also signifies that the hereditary military household system has completely collapsed."

"When the court is recruiting, military men still have a path upward; once the court reduces recruitment, military men have nowhere to go."

"Especially for hereditary military families across the realm—within each household, only the eldest son can inherit the position; everyone else must find their own livelihood. If they can join the recruitment, they still have a good way out; if recruitment is reduced or halted, then their livelihoods become rather difficult."

Zhu Youxiao knew Xu Guangqi was talking about the lower and middle ranks of military officers—this was essentially a universal phenomenon in Great Ming.

Put plainly, it was because Great Ming's population had grown—not just commoners, but scholars, gentry, and military officers had all multiplied as well.

After all, there was no family planning in this era. For low-ranking military men, as long as their livelihoods were secure, they could afford to have several children. Accumulated over more than two hundred years, this had become an enormous population group.

Xu Guangqi continued: "Although the court has not forbidden the sons of military families from taking the civil examinations, I can empathize with just how difficult the path of the examinations is."

"Moreover, sons from military backgrounds are born with inherent disadvantages. Many people are unwilling to associate with them, finding military men crude; even some scholars refuse to take military sons as students. Perhaps basic literacy is no problem, but wanting to pass the civil examinations—that is exceedingly difficult."

This was especially evident among the noble scions of the capital.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said: "I am aware of this. The dukes and marquises of the capital have been the ducal and marquisate houses of Great Ming since the time of the founding Emperor and Emperor Chengzu."

"They have passed down through so many generations that their clans have grown enormously. The court doesn't have that many positions to give them, and those who receive hereditary favor are few. So they idle about all day—most of them are dissolute wastrels."

"The Shuntian Prefecture has filed no shortage of impeachments against them, saying these people cluster within a few hundred li of the capital, spending their days in drinking, whoring, gambling, and brawling; of the various cases that occur in the capital each year, seventy or eighty percent involve them."

Xu Guangqi also nodded and said with a smile: "No one is more sagely than Your Majesty. It is precisely because of this that many military families still hope their sons can find a way out."

"What the scholars look down upon, they don't necessarily disdain. Take the academy, for example—in their eyes, this is something personally championed by Your Majesty's imperial edict, and for them it is an excellent opportunity. So they are willing to come, willing to serve Your Majesty loyally."

"For noble families, it's fine to send their own sons here as well—if one can pass and amount to something, that's naturally good; even if none amounts to anything, at least it's no worse than before. At most, it's just a son who doesn't rank in the family hierarchy—nothing much to worry about."

"Besides, in noble families, apart from those who can inherit titles, everyone else ultimately has to find their own way in life. That's why there are more military men this time—for exactly this reason."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, a faint understanding dawning in his mind.

He had still underestimated the appeal of the Emperor's banner. This was influenced by some ideas from later generations—thinking that those civil officials, those who shouted about their integrity day and night, would oppose him.

But in reality, that wasn't the case. It was just that those who shouted and acted were recorded in the little notebooks; most people would still comply, would remain silent.

Take this Imperial Academy examination for example—there were still quite a few scholars willing to come. The reason was simple: this was their only remaining path of upward mobility in this society besides the imperial examinations.

For some wealthy scholars, they had the capital to jump around recklessly, because they had money.

They had accumulated much wealth by oppressing the common people, so they didn't have to worry about making a living. Even if they didn't become officials, they could travel through mountains and rivers, write poetry and essays, and still live quite elegantly.

But for most scholars, especially poor ones, this was an opportunity for their entire family—even several generations—to change their class.

So these people would not give up this rare opportunity over some inexplicable nonsense.

Even for military men, this was an excellent path to distinguish themselves, so naturally they would take it.

After figuring this out, Zhu Youxiao looked at the bustling crowd outside and a smile spread across his face.

If this was the case, it proved that the Great Ming Dynasty had not been completely brainwashed by those people—it proved the Great Ming still had hope!

Seeing the delighted expression on his Majesty's face, Xu Guangqi also smiled.

In Xu Guangqi's view, although many people in the court shouted loudly, that was because they stood in the court, had loud voices, and could make more people hear them—giving the impression that they were overwhelmingly powerful.

But the truth of the matter was not so.

In fact, for many people, they simply could not speak. If you gave them the chance to speak, the voices these people would produce could absolutely shake the entire world.

Now he had given them that chance—the Imperial Academy was their opportunity, and at the same time his own opportunity, and even more so the Great Ming's opportunity.

As the carriage drew closer to the Imperial Academy, the streets became increasingly crowded, increasingly congested.

The carriage's pace gradually slowed, until finally it could barely move an inch.

Noticing that the carriage had come to a stop, Zhu Youxiao reached out and lifted the curtain, glanced at Chen Hong who was driving, and said: "Find a place to park the carriage. We'll walk from here."

Chen Hong was startled, just pondering how to respond.

Xu Guangqi on the side said urgently: "Your Majesty, it's too chaotic here. We'd be safer staying in the carriage. If we really get down there, with people pressing against people, I'm afraid there will be problems."

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, saying with complete indifference: "We don't have any particular destination anyway—we'll just follow the crowd. If we can walk, we walk; if we can't, we find a place to sit and rest our feet until they pass, then we'll continue."

"I came out this time—I can't just watch from inside the carriage, can I? I have to get down and walk around."

Seeing his Majesty's resolute expression, Xu Guangqi could only shake his head helplessly and follow his Majesty down from the carriage.

After getting off the carriage, Xu Guangqi immediately found Qi Yuanfu and asked with some concern: "Have all your men arrived?"

"Grand Secretary, rest assured, I've already made arrangements. Within a hundred paces around us there are three hundred men—all of them guards I've deployed." Qi Yuanfu said with a respectful expression and full confidence.

Xu Guangqi nodded with satisfaction and walked over to Zhu Youxiao's side.

The two of them had not spoken quietly, so Zhu Youxiao naturally heard them and understood that they had deliberately let him overhear.

After all, one couldn't whisper secrets right in front of the Emperor—that would truly be a breach of ministerial decorum.

But hearing Qi Yuanfu say he had arranged three hundred men hidden in the vicinity, Zhu Youxiao shook his head helplessly.

These three hundred were just those hidden nearby—who knew how many more were beyond two streets away?

Today was already bustling to begin with, with so many examination candidates around, and Qi Yuanfu had brought this many people to guard him—no wonder it was so congested!

He had just been wondering why it was so jam-packed, but now it seemed it was all his own doing. If he hadn't come, it probably wouldn't be this crowded.

Zhu Youxiao shook his head helplessly. He couldn't very well tell them all to withdraw now, could he?

Even if he asked them to withdraw, they probably couldn't get out anyway. He could only let things be for now.

Zhu Youxiao said helplessly: "Alright, let's go."

The group drifted forward with the crowd, Zhu Youxiao fanning himself with a folding fan in his hand, occasionally glancing left and right.

Zhu Youxiao was looking for interesting people, seeing if he could strike up a conversation with anyone.

Soon, Zhu Youxiao spotted an interesting person.

This person wore scholar's robes—from the attire alone, one could tell he was a juren.

But this man was different from other juren. Although his left hand also carried the wooden examination box containing the four treasures of the study, his right hand held a blade.

From the style of that blade, Zhu Youxiao could tell at a glance that it was absolutely not decorative.

The scabbard was very plain, and the handle was heavily worn—clearly the result of years of use. When holding the sword, the blade hung downward at an angle that was clearly perfect for drawing it quickly.

Slung diagonally across this juren's back was a large python-skin bow, along with a quiver filled with arrows.

Most crucially, this juren was followed by a servant. The servant wasn't carrying anything else for him—just a long spear on his back, which appeared to be considerably taller than the servant himself.

This juren's appearance successfully caught Zhu Youxiao's attention.

He held the scholarly title of juren, yet dressed as a military man—and judging by his bearing, this wasn't just for show. He was clearly a highly professional martial artist.

How could such a person not attract Zhu Youxiao's notice?

Zhu Youxiao proactively sidled over to this person and soon arrived before him.

Zhu Youxiao smiled and clasped his hands in greeting: "I am Bai Yu of the capital. May I ask your name, brother?"

This man was taken aback upon seeing Zhu Youxiao and couldn't help but look him up and down.

With that outfit, if anyone said he wasn't a rich young master—and an enormously wealthy one at that—nobody would believe it.

Look at the clothes Bai Yu wore—fine Jiangnan black silk; look at the hairpin in his hair—the jade quality alone, just that single hairpin, could probably buy a house in the capital.

The jade pendant at his waist, the folding fan in his hand—there wasn't a single cheap item on this young master.

This was no longer a matter of wealth—his status was certainly extraordinary. Looking at the old servant attending him, and the dozen or so guards in black leather armor following behind, this was clearly a child of a powerful family in the capital.

Better not to offend someone like this—especially since he had come up to greet him with such a friendly tone.

This juren clasped his fists and said: "I am Lu Xiangsheng, from Yixing County, Changzhou Prefecture, South Zhili."