The Prosperous Era of Longwan

The three teams announcing the good news soon walked out of the Jiujiang magistrate's office and headed towards their respective destinations.

The prefect did not come out. Those who delivered the good news were all led by envoys, experiencers and people from the sixth room. They played and played and lit firecrackers along the way, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

At the same time, a large group of people came out from the Jiujiang Guard Command and Envoy Department and hurried to Jiujiang Pier. The leader was naturally Zhang Qing and Zhang Tongzhi.

Zhang Tongzhi was old and could no longer ride a horse, so he had to ride a carriage. Behind the carriage, Zhang Shigui, Wu Zhankui and others also followed on horseback.

The luxuriously decorated carriage and many military attaches, escorted by a large number of soldiers, quickly left Jiujiang City and arrived at the riverside pier. After the carriage arrived at the pier, Zhang Qing got out of the carriage with the help of Zhang Shigui who came up from behind, and came to a road. In front of the big ship.

At this time, a well-dressed nobleman standing at the bow of the ship also got off the ship through the pedals. Zhang Qing led his people to greet him hurriedly, cupping his fists and saying, "Greetings to the Crown Prince."

"Uncle Zhang, don't say that. I'm not a prince, just call me by my name."

The noble young master shook his head and said.

"Don't dare, don't dare. Even if you are deceived by others, you will understand sooner or later."

Zhang Qing did not dare to answer the question, but replied honestly.

"Uncle Zhang, if you are really good for me, don't call me son. If the news spreads back home, I don't know what trouble will happen."

The young man just reminded him again in a low voice.

"Then I'll call you Young Master, Shigui. Come up and pay homage to Young Master."

Zhang Qing was already talking to his eldest son next to him.

"Meet the young master."

"Okay, brother Shigui, this isn't the first time we've met, so don't be so indifferent."

The young man waved his hand and said.

Zhang Qing stepped aside now and winked at his son-in-law.

Wu Zhankui understood this and took two steps forward with Wei Meng, bowing and saluting.

"Okay, I have heard your names mentioned many times by Brother Fugui, so today I have met you."

When the young master heard Wu and Wei announce their names, he immediately smiled.

"Sir, let's go into the city. The wind here is strong and the place to live has been prepared."

Zhang Qing made a gesture of invitation as he spoke.

Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng also immediately separated on both sides and made way for them in the middle.

"That's fine."

The young master looked back at his ship, and his face that was full of smiles just now turned slightly bitter, "In two days, the fleet will cross Jiujiang, and I will ask Uncle Shi to take care of him then."

The young man laughed and walked forward with Zhang Qing, leaving Jiujiang Pier and walking towards the place where the carriage stopped.

Zhang Qing and Zhang Shigui responded immediately without any hesitation.

Soon, they walked to the carriage. As they were getting on the carriage, a fast horse galloped towards them from Jiujiang City in the distance.

Although they were far apart, Wu Zhankui, who had good eyesight, still saw the person coming clearly at a glance, and said to Wei Meng who was about to get on his horse next to him: "It seems to be from your home."

When Wei Meng heard this, he frowned slightly, stopped what he was doing, and looked over.

As the horse approached, he could see that it was indeed his servant.

Zhang Shigui, who had just put his old father into the carriage, had already walked over. Seeing the two of them staring at the road, he asked strangely: "What's the matter? It's time to get on the horse and set off."

"Old Wei Jiading is here. Maybe there is something going on at home."

Before Wei Meng could answer, Wu Zhankui said to Zhang Shigui.

"Um?"

Hearing this, Zhang Shigui followed their gaze and saw that the horse was already approaching them. The knight on the horse reined in the horse and slowed down the horse. At the same time, he quickly searched the crowd and saw Wei Meng behind the carriage.

When he was a few steps away from the convoy, the man had already dismounted, led the horse quickly around the carriage and ran to Wei Meng.

"Master, the official from the Yamen has arrived home to announce that the second young master has passed the provincial examination."

When he first saw his family coming to look for him, Wei Meng's heart sank, thinking that something had happened to his family.

But when the servant came closer, he saw that his face was full of joy, and Wei Mengcai felt a little relieved. When the servant reported the news, Wei Meng was instantly stunned by happiness, and felt like he was soaking in a honey pot.

"Home."

Later, Wei Meng saw the servant opening and closing his mouth, but he couldn't hear what he was saying.

After finally calming down my excitement, I felt someone tap me heavily on my shoulder.

Wei Meng came back to his senses and heard the servant continue to report: "I went to the Yamen to look for you just now, and then I found out that you were at the dock. Then I borrowed a horse from the Yamen and chased after you. I also copied the good news from the Yamen. In the guardhouse, firecrackers started setting off when I came out."

"Okay, okay, okay."

Wei Meng didn't want to listen to the servant's nagging now, and only said three good words.

"Congratulations, brother Wei, your Qilin'er will be promoted to the imperial examination this year and will be promoted to Jinshi next year."

Zhang Shigui responded quickly and immediately laughed and said.

Wu Zhankui next to him was also crazy with joy. This was his nephew, his nephew. If he won the exam at such a young age, he would have a bright future.

His son had no choice but to take the imperial examination. It was easy for him when he first tried, but when he came back after a college examination, Wu Dong said he couldn't pass it.

If Wu Dong was sure of being selected for the examination, Wu Zhankui might try to give it a try and send a message to Nanjing Wei Guogong's office through his father-in-law's relationship, asking for exemption.

According to the "Military Administration Regulations" promulgated by the Ming Dynasty, it is stipulated: "Therefore, under the military household, there is only one person to serve as a raw member. The Ministry of War will be dismissed and the Hanlin Academy will be examined. If the results are successful, the army will be opened as usual. If there are no results, the army will be opened. Still sent to the army."

This rule was promulgated in the Hongwu Year. Military households with an only son could petition to be recruited into the army if their son achieved academic success.

At that time, only the title of scholar was required. Nowadays, it is definitely not possible to be a scholar. At least, it is possible to be exempted from the scholarship if you are a scholar.

These days, those who hold the handle of a knife are increasingly inferior to those who hold a pen.

Wu Dong himself felt that a scholar had no chance, so naturally Wu Zhankui would not let him continue studying.

Well, it is a good thing to have a nephew who can study and become an official. At least there is someone to protect him.

"I won't come home until I'm drunk tonight."

After Wu Zhankui came to his senses, he patted Wei Meng on the shoulder and said loudly.

"You won't come home until you're drunk."

Wei Meng nodded hurriedly. It was a good thing that his son won the imperial examination. He immediately invited Wu Zhankui and Zhang Shigui.

"What's going on? Why don't you leave?"

Zhang Qing, who was on the carriage in front, suddenly opened the sedan curtain and asked.

"Dad, um, Guangde passed the exam."

Zhang Shigui immediately jogged to the carriage and said to the old man in the carriage.

"Win? That's a good thing."

Zhang Tongzhi was also very happy when he heard this.

No matter how far apart the relationship between the Wei family and the Zhang family is, they are still related. It is not bad to have a relative in Juren these days, not to mention that Wei Guangde is still so young.

At the beginning, Zhang Tongzhi prepared for Wei Guangde to pass the exam three or five times before he passed the exam. By then, he would be able to take the general exam at least three more times, otherwise he would not be thinking of the Wei family for any good things.

Military achievements and abilities are nothing in the eyes of those in power. If you want to suppress them, just suppress them. It's too simple.

"Oh, whose Guangde family are you talking about?"

The noble man in the car also asked out of curiosity. He understood. It seemed that among the people who came to greet him, someone had a family member.

Juren is a pretty good status these days.

"The name of the Wei family is Wei Guangde, the youngest son of the Fu family in Wei Mengwei Town. He is only sixteen years old this year. When he was thirteen years old, he passed the county examination, the prefecture examination and the college examination in succession, but he failed in the provincial examination that year. It’s a pity that I failed.”

Zhang Tongzhi immediately introduced him.

"Oh, Wei Guangde, I seem to have heard of this name somewhere."

The young master smiled, but then his smile froze and he asked, "Is that Wei Guangde only sixteen years old?"

"Yeah, I'm sixteen this year."

Zhang Tongzhi replied immediately.

At this time, Wei Meng and Wu Zhankui had already walked to the carriage.

"Sir, Mr. Zhang, I am very happy to be elected today, and I would like to invite you two adults to come to my humble residence for a cup of wedding wine."

Wei Meng leaned to the window and said, as a Shangguan, you must invite people regardless of whether they come or not, and you must be polite and considerate.

Before Zhang Tongzhi could say anything, the young master smiled and nodded outside and said, "Okay, it's rare for a sixteen-year-old to be promoted. I can drink this wedding wine."

"Okay, the master has said something. You can ask people to go back and prepare some decent meals later."

Zhang Qing immediately ordered Wei Meng from the side.

"I understand my humble position, so I will send someone home to report the news."

In the evening, after seeing off the guests who came to congratulate him, Wei Meng returned to the bedroom.

"Who is that young master? Seeing that you all compliment him so much, even the commander is looking down upon him."

Wei's mother asked as she stood up to help Father Wei rest.

"He's from Nanjing, Mr. Xu's biological son."

Father Wei said calmly.

"No wonder, it is possible to attack the prince, and he will be the Duke of the country in the future."

When Wei's mother heard that the man was the son of Wei Guogong, she naturally figured it out.

"I can't tell. From what Brother Shigui said, it seems that the Duke of Guo doesn't like this son very much and wants to make his younger son the heir apparent."

"How can that be done? I remember that the imperial court has a system. There are direct heirs and no direct heirs. The commander calls him the eldest son. How can it be possible for a younger one to inherit the title?"

Wei Mu said immediately.

In the past, Wei's mother had received some education, and she still knew a lot about the court's system, but she had never met such a noble person.

"Why bother with other people's affairs? There are people in the court who worry about this anyway."

Father Wei shook his head and said.

"The imperial court will never approve his petition."

Wei's mother is a bit stubborn. Today, Mr. Xu left a good impression on her. He is humble and kind, not at all like a young man from an aristocratic family. He is a good talker.

"Hey, you just met him once and you felt sorry for him."

But Father Wei laughed dryly. His level was too high, and it was impossible for a small family like him to get involved.

However, Father Wei is indeed happy tonight.

My son won the election, and all his colleagues in the yamen are here tonight. Regardless of whether they are close or far apart on weekdays, tonight they are all kind-hearted and have lost their previous charisma in the yamen.

So cool.

However, as Madam said, Mr. Xu is too approachable.

While the couple were talking in the bedroom, in a carriage not far from Wei's house, Mr. Xu, whom Wei's mother said was asking Zhang Shigui.

"What do you mean, that guy named Wei Guangde, according to the professor's opinion, the eight-part essay is still lacking in prowess?"

"Yes, sir, my brother went to inquire. According to the professor at the government school, it should take a few years before he can win the exam."

"But now he has won the exam."

"Yeah, that's why I feel very surprised. Maybe he is really a rich and powerful person, hehe."

After saying this, Zhang Shigui laughed twice and said: "I remember a few years ago, Wei Meng brought his two sons to Jiujiang City and stayed at my house. I didn't see anything at that time.

But my old man told our brothers that this Wei Guangde has an extraordinary appearance, and he may be a poor scholar, so he may become rich in the future.

Unexpectedly, the old man's vision was really good, and his prediction came true. He was selected as a candidate at the age of sixteen, and he had a lot of time to become a Jinshi. "

Having said this, Zhang Shigui suddenly looked at Mr. Xu and said: "Sir, in fact, the old man also told our brothers in private that my father had seen you and your brothers when they were young. When he came back, he told us that you are still the eldest son. Like the old Duke, his words and demeanor are exactly the same.

Young Master, please rest assured, no matter what time, our Zhang family will only recognize you, Young Master. "

"Haha, then I'll borrow Zhang Shu's good words and hope he never looks back and makes mistakes."

"How could it be possible? My father looks at people with dissatisfaction."

After hearing Zhang Shigui's words of loyalty, Mr. Xu just smiled.

"What does Wei Guangde look like? Is he the same as his father?"

"Their eldest son looks like Wei Meng. I think Wei Guangde's appearance is more like his mother's."

Although I was wondering why Young Master Xu was so interested in Wei Guangde, he still gave a straight answer.

"By the way, sir, please forgive me for talking too much. At this time, you should actually stay in Nanjing City."

At this time, Zhang Shigui changed the topic.

"I understand what my father has in mind. He asked me to come out. What else can I do but obey him."

The smile on Mr. Xu's face turned bitter, just like when he got off the boat.

"I see, you don't need to be anxious, sir. Ji people have their own destiny. My father has always been very accurate in judging people and will never make mistakes."

Zhang Shigui could only say na na at this time.

"I don't know where the Japanese pirates are? Will they really invade Nanjing?"

Mr. Xu shook his head. He knew very well that the city of Nanjing had high walls and thick walls and a large number of soldiers from the capital. It was not something that the Japanese pirates could make plans for.

However, my father forced me to leave Nanjing at this time just to pour dirty water on myself. When the time comes to announce the appointment of the crown prince, I will have an excuse to pass on the title of crown prince to others, but I have no idea about this. Unable to resist.

Wei Guangde stayed in Nanchang City for two days before returning to Jiujiang Prefecture with Lao Kan and Shen Liangdong.

The other scholars who failed the exam have already embarked on their return journey.

The classmates who stayed in Nanchang all planned to study in Yuzhang Academy just like Zeng Yuanshu, to prepare for the provincial examination three years later.