"Article 3: Males who have reached the age of 18 and meet the standards of health must serve two months of military service every year from the age of 25 and receive military service subsidies. Males between the age of 26 and 30 who meet the standards of health must serve one month of military service every year. Those who evade military service will have all their benefits revoked."
The reader continued to read the third article. Based on the previous situation, he stopped reading and waited for the others to discuss.
The officials fell silent. No one made a sound. They all looked at the reader.
"Continue." Li Longji spoke.
"Article 4: Those who participate in the imperial examinations must accumulate 100 days of voluntary teaching and 200 days of voluntary social work. Those who fail to complete the examinations will be disqualified and will not be allowed to participate in the examinations again for five years."
When the fourth article was read, the two sides of the stairs of Hanyuan Palace began to buzz with discussion. The officials whispered to each other.
Wang Bei was very close to Zhang Zhong. As they were both ministers, there was only one person between them. When he heard the fourth article, he couldn't help but squeeze to Zhang Zhong's side and ask, "Zhang Xiaobao, what a Wang Juan. Now you feel that you are not afraid of anything. You are beginning to raise your blade against the officials. How bold, how bold. Zhang Zhong, you gave birth to a good son."
Zhang Zhong smiled and nodded slightly at Wang Bei. "Why do you say that, Lord Wang? Officials take the imperial examinations. If you are a local official, don't you still need to understand education and the people? What's wrong with learning first? Or directly manage the economic field. At the very least, you need to understand the goods and needs of the people, right?
Eh? Speaking of the economy, I just remembered that last night, Xiaobao called and said that the new group we formed together might be able to generate profits this year. It's no longer about breaking even. He said that it's about accumulating and accumulating. After settling down to a certain extent, it will finally start to flourish. "
Weiwei was stunned. Then, he became even more indignant. "Zhang Zhong, do you think that the matters of the world's scholars can be enticed with money? Do you think that a noble person can be enticed with money? Do you think … "
"About three million strings of profits. It's said that we will first distribute the profits and then consider selling them overseas. This way, we will be able to generate profits every year." Zhang Zhong finished his own words.
Wang Ke was stunned again. He looked away and took four deep breaths. When he faced Zhang Zhong again, he asked seriously, "Really?"
"Does Lord Wang want to see the proposal?" Zhang Zhong asked.
"I'll believe you this time. Where were we just now?"
"You can't tempt people with benefits."
"Yes, there is such a thing. We can't use money or benefits. This is the righteousness of the country. Upholding virtue and proper conduct is virtue and virtue. Zhang Zhong, Brother Yongcheng, you're going too far by talking to me about money. Am I someone that can be moved by money? How can I be unreasonable when you're talking to me?
Actually, I deeply agree with what you said before. Yes, you're absolutely right. Students were taking the imperial examinations because they wanted to become officials. How could officials not know the hardships of the common people? In my opinion, the days are still too little. In total, it should be five hundred days. However, if the time limit is set for too long this time, it might be repeated. It's better to try it out first. "
Wang Bei patted Zhang Zhong's shoulder affectionately and said righteously.
"I think so too." Zhang Zhong still responded with a smile.
"Yes, yes, yes. It's not easy to think of the same thing. Brother Yongcheng, are you free tonight? I heard that prawn rakes are ready to be eaten. Your restaurant bought a lot of them. How about you treat us to a meal? "Wang Bei said with a greedy look.
"Of course I should treat you. How about tonight?" Zhang Zhong agreed.
"Okay, okay. See you tonight." Wang Bei nodded happily and returned to his original position. He ignored the person in the middle as if he didn't exist. That person was … the Minister of Personnel, Pei Guangting.
Pei Guangting heard everything and suddenly realized that people who were in charge of money really had no resistance to money. Three million strings of string of cash wasn't just Wang Bei's profit, but he had been bribed. Can't you have some backbone? You lost in one round, and it was such a thorough defeat.
After belittling Wang Bei in his heart, Pei Guangting thought for a while and squeezed in Zhang Zhong's position. He turned his head and whispered, "Brother Yongcheng, does that company still need to increase its shares? I have some spare money. You know that if money isn't spent and doesn't flow, it will lose its effect on the economy. I'm willing to contribute to the prosperity of Tang's economy. "
Pei Guangting was more than ten years older than Zhang Zhong. His third grandson was already four years old. He wanted to consider for his family. In fact, it was not bad to rely on bribery, but there were very few officials who bribed now. Even if he did, he couldn't help much. If bribed officials made mistakes, they would be punished. He didn't dare to oppose, even if he was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel.
He wasn't afraid of the Censorate or the Head of the Secretariat. He even dared to argue with the Emperor. However, he was afraid of Xiaobei and the others who were just like him. Moreover, the Emperor's argument showed that he had the ability. He was caught by Xiaobei and the others on a whim, but no one helped him.
Therefore, it was better to find a proper business and invest more to get a return. He had shares in the new company, but not a lot. It would be good if he could increase his investment.
"Brother Liancheng, don't worry." Zhang Zhong comforted Pei Guangting and said, "You'll understand if you continue to listen. There are many benefits to being an official. Otherwise, we as officials have no money, but businessmen have money. If we put all our thoughts on money, how can we use psychological politics? How many people can become saints? "
Pei Guangting's eyes lit up. He asked for confirmation, "In that case, even if Official Wang supports us, the new company will still be profitable?"
"Of course, but Brother Liancheng will have to work hard in the future."
"What do you mean?" Pei Guangting asked again.
"After the hidden high salary, Xiao Bao and Cuckoo demanded that the officials must be honest. As the saying goes, if you take someone's money, you have to solve problems. The officials who received the hidden salary have to do things. The faster our Great Tang develops, the more loopholes there will be. We may not be able to catch all the patrolling officers, and to catch the officials, we need your department to participate. What do you think we should do? "
Zhang Zhong listened to his son's request and began to compromise with the officials. However, he also knew that his son's schemes were never the kind where he would take a step forward. He took a step back because there was a need for greater benefits. I've given you face, do you dare to take another step forward? Moreover, this exchange was beneficial to the Great Tang as a whole. Otherwise, they would not use the method of exchange but other means to achieve their goals.
Pei Guangting clearly understood the temperaments of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. It did not matter what they obtained in the end, and they should not covet it. It was fine as long as they could benefit. Otherwise, if they really angered them, they might not give them any benefits at all.
Thus, he solemnly promised Zhang Zhong, "Don't worry. Any official who takes money but doesn't do anything during the Great Tang's rapid development will be severely punished. The lightest punishment is imprisonment, and the heaviest punishment is extermination."
"Thank you." Zhang Zhong clasped his hands in respect.
"No need, it's my duty." Pei Guangting returned the gesture.
Zhang Zhong had dealt with two people, so the rest was simple. There was still the Bureau of Rites, Bureau of Justice, and Bureau of Military Personnel. If the Bureau of Military Personnel passed, the Bureau of Military Personnel would not dare to obstruct them. Since that was the case, he began to approach Su Yi's side and make a deal with him. Similarly, when he gave him benefits, the Great Tang would benefit.
The officials in the court had no time to care about where Zhang Zhong was going or who he was exchanging with. Many of them were deep in thought.
"The fifth …"
"Wait." Just as the reporter was about to continue reading, Xiao Song, the Bureau of Military Personnel, shouted. He was very imposing, and it was obvious that he was from the Bureau of Military Personnel.
"Official Xiao has objections?" Li Longji glanced over and asked.
The officials suddenly looked at Zhang Zhong as if they were looking at a joke. Zhang Zhong had already reached Su Yi's side. Seeing the Bureau of Military Personnel stand out, he stopped what he was doing and looked over in surprise.
The situation became awkward.
The officials wanted to see Zhang Zhong make a fool of himself. Look, there was a problem in the place that you thought would be the least problematic. What are you going to do now?
Some people looked at Wang Bei. Wang Bei wanted to curse, curse Xiao Song for betraying Cuckoo, and curse the people who looked over. Damn it, why are you looking at me? You want me to stand up and support Xiao Song? Then when can I earn back the money I invested?
Don't you f * cking just want to watch others fight? The problem is, do you know how much pressure I'm under? I can't earn back the money I invested, and then the benefits from Zhang Family and Wang Family were canceled. Later on, I had a grandson who was about to be born, so I was able to enjoy some benefits again, and it was always given to the grandson who was born.
It would've been easier without these benefits. Ever since there were benefits for children, my life has been getting worse and worse. The servants in the family don't look at me right now. I'm about to betray everyone. Didn't you see that I went over to talk to him personally instead of standing up?
I'll remember you. Don't expect me to give you money easily in the future.
Wang Bei cursed in his heart as he glared back.
The situation paused for a moment. Xiao Song seemed to feel that he had given enough time for others to think, so he deliberately said in a rough voice, "The fourth clause refers to the humanities exam, right? What about my martial arts exam? I strongly request that the imperial court not discriminate against us martial artists. In the future, those who take the martial arts exam must also take out 300 days to do volunteer work.
I'll stop here. Even if the policy doesn't stipulate that those who take part in the martial arts exam need to do volunteer work, the Ministry of War will strictly implement this policy. Unless I'm removed, as long as I'm Minister, those who take part in the martial arts exam can forget about taking advantage of the loopholes. "
This time, it was the people who were watching the show who cursed in their hearts. Xiao Song, would you die if you didn't flatter him?
Without waiting for others to finish cursing, Xiao Song spoke again.
"Also, regarding the third clause on military service, I declare that the Ministry of War will be strict with those who take part in the military service. We will unconditionally complete His Majesty's training. From strategy, tactics, to personal military skills, we will train those who take part in the military service in all aspects.
We will train them into qualified soldiers of the Great Tang Empire, to the point where they can fight and win when pulled out. We will also strengthen the ideological education of the army so that all officers and soldiers will not retreat, waver, or hesitate in the face of danger. That's all I have to say. "
As he finished speaking, Xiao Song took a big step back and stood back.
The people who were watching the show were speechless. Xiao Song, you're the Minister. You have the nerve to stand out and not show any restraint? Are you afraid of Wang Juan to this extent?
Li Longji held back his laughter and said with relief, "Very good. Official Xiao's awareness is very high. With him in the Ministry of War, I can rest assured. Yes, Hong 'er still lacks a martial arts teacher. Why don't you add the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince?"
"I won't let you down." Xiao Song stood out again to show his loyalty. He got a first-rank official just like that. A first-rank official was still a first-rank official.
Although the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince was an empty title, he would still receive a rank 1 salary. However, when he thought of empty titles, he also remembered that there was a group of young fellows who also had empty titles. They were the Young Minister of the Supreme Court and the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice. They were the nine people of the Great Tang, no, the ten people of the Patrol Team. They held multiple titles and did not need to go through any department to convict someone. They just did it directly, depending on their mood.
Therefore, these officials who wanted to stand out and say something shut up.
The Minister of Rites, Su Yi, who was also waiting to watch the show, put away his thoughts and asked Zhang Zhong with a smile, "Yongcheng is here?"
"He's here. There's a matter regarding the application and management of video education, as well as the planning of the printing of newspapers and books. Do you want to take a look?"
When Zhang Zhong spoke again, his tone was gentle. It was a display of confidence.
Su Yi could understand Zhang Zhong's confidence. If he had such a son and daughter-in-law, he would be so confident too. He asked, "Is there a lot to talk about?"
"Yes, I'll go after the court meeting." Zhang Zhong lowered his posture even more.
"Don't, I have something to ask. I'll go. My washing machine is leaking. It's not the kind that leaks next door. It's the kind that leaks by itself when I don't need to. I was washing it when the water ran out." Su Yi didn't dare to trouble Zhang Zhong now. He wanted to go there personally. As for the leak, was that a problem?
"That's fine. There's probably a mistake with the seal. I'll have someone go take a look. At the same time, there's a new washing machine that can rotate in two directions. It's better than rotating in one direction. I'll be very grateful if you can help me try it out." Zhang Zhong said with a smile. His face was worth a new two-way washing machine. He would probably take out those that had rotating barrels as well.
"Well said, well said." Su Yi also smiled happily.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Zhang Zhong went back to the topic.
The secret exchange of benefits was so dirty. However, as long as it was good for the common people, it was worth it. Most of the common people only saw what was in front of them and what was in front of them. They never knew how many people had paid for their benefits.
Yu Wenrong, who was also the Prime Minister, had no choice but to stand up and speak up. His current position was very high, and he was on the same level as the Secretary. Thus, he had to figure out what Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan wanted to do.
Of course, he was also clear that the reason he could become an official now was because Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan didn't stop him. Although they had a small conflict in the past, they recognized his ability.
This made Yu Wenrong sigh. He admitted that he couldn't do it. He couldn't do it. He couldn't do it. He couldn't do it when he was in the position of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan and still not deliberately attack his opponents. Because if the two of them wanted to deal with him, they didn't need to seek balance or exchange benefits. It was just a matter of a sentence.
Perhaps they didn't even see him as an opponent, even if his father was the Minister of Works, who was of a lower rank than him. Every time he thought of them, he would feel a kind of majestic aura, vast and unstoppable. As long as you didn't cross their bottom line, they wouldn't care. However, when they cared, you would be gone.
Thus, when Yu Wenrong became the Prime Minister this year, his conduct had always been very proper.
At this moment, he had to ask clearly on behalf of all the officials.
"Your Majesty, after this subject heard these four conditions, his heart is not clear."
"Speak." In truth, Li Longji hadn't received any explanation from Zhang Xiaobao, but he was confident that he understood thoroughly. This was a kind of tacit understanding, and the source of this tacit understanding came from their daily interactions.
Yu Wenrong paused, then said, "The first two conditions seem to shake the foundation, and the last two are exhausting manpower. This subject wants to understand what Xiao Bao and Cuckoo are thinking."
When he spoke, he didn't call Zhang Zhong like he did. He was clearly the closest person, yet he still insisted on calling him something like Jiedushi Zhang. This made others think of how Zhang Zhong had been at the very beginning of the two's imperial examinations. The result made Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan feel extremely awkward.
Quite a few of the people standing on either side of the steps nodded.
When Li Longji heard the first two conditions, he had already considered this question. Hearing this, he said, "We will tell you. The first two conditions are to bring out the hidden contradictions. There should be similar policies behind them. Once they are brought out, they will be resolved together, and we will obtain several years of stability.
"The third and fourth conditions don't actually require the common people to become soldiers, and it's also not impossible to have no students to become teachers and volunteer. "This involves psychology. Every year at the age of eighteen, they become soldiers and receive military management. This can help the common people develop a strict and resolute way of thinking and doing things. This has a great effect on the stability of the country.
"When students go to teach and volunteer, there is one thing you have to know. Only when a person is willing to contribute to something will they have some attachment to it. "If they go to teach, they will interact with the children. If one day they become an official and do things that involve the children's interests, I believe that the chances of them standing on the children's side will be very high.
"Similarly, when doing volunteer work, they still need to first understand it, or perhaps understand and feel it while doing it. "Most of the students are actually not up to standard in terms of living. If you don't believe me, during the imperial examinations this fall, you can ask each of them to cook a dish. See how many people can cook it?
This is a part of life. How can people who don't know how to live be an official? "We like people from Jianjia Academy because they know how to cook and mend their own clothes, so they understand the people's livelihood better. Zishou, do you know how to cook? "
As Li Longji spoke, he suddenly asked Zhang Jiuling, whose name was Zishou.
Zhang Jiuling smiled faintly. "Your Majesty wants to try this humble subject's meat with preserved vegetables. The preserved vegetables are produced in this subject's hometown. This subject is afraid that Your Majesty is used to Xiao Bao's food and will find this subject's food tasteless. "
"Ha, we believe that you can cook better than Xiao Bao. The food from one's hometown naturally has the taste of one's hometown," Li Longji said meaningfully.
Zhang Jiuling shook his head. Weiwei said, "This subject doesn't dare. Xiao Bao's hometown is Great Tang, and the food in his restaurant is divided into different cuisines. He can even create a unique taste for wild vegetables, so how can this subject compare to him? Everything that is born or raised can be eaten. This subject definitely can't do the same with Xiao Bao's ability. "
"Do you understand now, Qing?" Li Longji turned around and asked Yu Wenrong.
Yu Wenrong muttered to himself for a moment before raising his head. "I understand for now, but this subject is afraid that three hundred days will be wasted on other aspects, which will be detrimental to my knowledge."
"That's not right." Zhang Jiuling, who had just finished answering Li Longji, didn't return to his seat and directly said, "What is knowledge? Is it the university of moderation? Is it the Book of Songs? What is waste? No matter what you do, no matter how small it seems, you can learn something from it. You should know that a withered grass in spring is a disaster, and a blossoming tree in autumn is also an anomaly. Every blade of grass and every tree is also a heart of love. "
Yu Wenrong had heard Zhang Jiuling's words. After thinking about it, he cupped his fists and nodded. "I've learned."
Li Longji laughed happily and instructed the person reading the newspaper, "Continue."
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