Chapter 158: I want them, you don’t give it to me

The “Dragon Gate Exam Paper” cheating method involves the collaborator and the examinee entering the examination room hand in hand. When writing the exam paper, I write your name, and you write mine, then we exchange grades.

This tactic has a low risk and good results, and has been used by many people.

Even in later generations, some unscrupulous individuals, without any transaction, might pull a “Dragon Gate” maneuver, living their whole lives under someone else’s name.

In addition to these conventional methods, you can also collude with examiners, buy exam papers, and other cheating methods, as long as you are not afraid of the consequences.

Zhu Yunwen does not intend to vigorously develop cheating talents, so he instructs Dong Lun and others: “You must conduct thorough inspections and inform all candidates participating in the exam that I dislike cheating. Let them demonstrate their true talents.”

Dong Lun quickly agreed and hesitated for a moment before saying, “Your Majesty, the weather is hot in June, and the examination hall is like a steamer. Could we arrange some shading to alleviate the discomfort of the heat?”

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly and said, “Approved. In addition, prepare more green bean soup to help everyone cool down.”

“I obey the decree,” Dong Lun said gratefully.

Zhu Yunwen is much easier to talk to than Zhu Yuanzhang and is more considerate.

“Chancellor Yang, as the head of the Imperial Academy, you are already busy enough, and you should not be involved in the tasks of presiding over the examination and reviewing. However, I am still adding you to the list. Do you know why?” Zhu Yunwen looked at Yang Shiqi and said seriously.

Yang Shiqi bowed and replied solemnly, “I dare not speculate recklessly. As long as it is Your Majesty’s assignment, I will exert all my efforts to complete the task.”

Zhu Yunwen smiled and shook his head, saying, “Why, after spending a few days in the Imperial Academy, you dare not speak frankly anymore?”

Yang Shiqi wore a faint smile on his face and replied, “I think Your Majesty wishes to select some useful individuals among the candidates throughout the country.”

“What do you mean by ‘useful individuals’?” Zhu Yunwen asked indifferently.

Yang Shiqi replied calmly, “Naturally, it refers to individuals with unwavering character and the ability to handle matters, regardless of their writing style.”

Yang Shiqi had a profound impression of Zhu Yunwen’s view on talent, as expressed in the “Cat Theory.” The idea was clear and profound: talents should not be restricted to a specific style; all talents should be utilized!

Now, more than five thousand candidates have come to the capital with great difficulty. If only two or three hundred are selected and the others are sent back home, it seems a bit inconsistent with the principle of “不拘一格” (not restricted to a specific style).

According to Yang Shiqi’s speculation, Zhu Yunwen would certainly not miss this opportunity. Even if someone failed the exam, he would check if that person had abilities.

Zhu Yunwen looked at Yang Shiqi with admiration. This man’s intelligence might not be inferior to Xie Jin, But in terms of shrewdness, he is stronger than Xie Jin.

“What I need are individuals like you. In my view, even if someone fails the exam, they can still be useful. Whether in overseeing the examination or grading the papers, the purpose is clear: to observe talents for potential use,” Zhu Yunwen said in a deep voice.

Dong Lun, Yang Shiqi, and Gao Xunzhi exchanged a deep glance, sensing something unusual.

In June, Nanjing is already hot and humid.

Zhu Yunwen stayed in the Wuying Hall to handle memorials. Two little palace maids behind him have been fanning, exhausted, and sweating. Their clothes are a bit soaked, but they dare not stop.

“Alright, you can go down.”

Zhu Yunwen picked up a folding fan, feeling a bit sorry for them.

Fortunately, there is comforting news of good harvests from various places in the South Zhili region, which not only means that the single whip method has truly been implemented for the first time on the common people but also signifies the first entry of the Great Ming Dynasty’s agricultural tax reform into reality.

In a few months, the national treasury will be filled, and by then, can the New Army Policy be extended a bit more?

Zhu Yunwen frowned. While implementing the new military strategy in the fiefdoms of other kings, the results can be anticipated. However, there is a special king, who even with the introduction of the new army policy, may not be able to gain the loyalty of his people.

This king is the King of Ning, Zhu Quan.

Unlike other Kings, the soldiers in the hands of other kings are basically the soldiers regulated by the court, the military men within the imperial system, whose blood flows with the essence of the Han people.

However, the soldiers under Zhu Quan were the Duoyan Three Guards, mercenaries mainly composed of Mongols.

Although these people eat the grain allocated by the court, considering the situation at that time, these people only submit to the Great Ming, follow the commands of the Great Ming, but do not recognize themselves as subjects of the Ming Dynasty.

These mercenaries are brave and good at war, with excellent riding skills. If there are only a few thousand people, they can be easily controlled through dispersal, assimilation, and internal migration. However, these people are not just a few thousand, but 80,000.

Well, 80,000 are all cavalry elites. Behind these 80,000, there are also a bunch of shepherds and herdsmen…

With a population of several hundred thousand people, once they are brought to the mainland, if one day they meet with the Tatars and Oirats, coordinate with each other, conspire inside and out, pick up their weapons, and rebel, who can resist?

The Duoyan Three Guards, actually Duoyan, Taining, and Fuyu Three Guards.

Duoyan Guard is in the upper reaches of the Qu Lie’er River (referring to the southern tributary of the Taoer River) and the Duoyan Mountain area.

Taining Guard is in the Taer River (now Taoer River) basin, that is, the Taining Road in the Yuan Dynasty.

Fuyu Guard is in the Nen River and Fuyu River (now Wuyuer River) basin.

Looking at the map, this is a very large area, not just a few miles, a few dozen miles of a small area. Its area even exceeds that of the Korean Peninsula.

Because the Duoyan Guard is also called the Wuliangha Guard, the area it is in is also called the “Wuliangha region.”

Historically, when Zhu Di rebelled, he used stratagems to snatch the Duoyan Three Guards from King of Ning and, with the help of the Duoyan Three Guards, repeatedly defeated Zhu Yunwen’s army.

After the success of the Jingnan, Zhu Di ascended the throne, and the credit of the Duoyan Three Guards could not be ignored.

Zhu Di also generously rewarded the Duoyan Three Guards and arranged for them to return to grazing after the rewards. However, the ambitions of the Duoyan Three Guards had already emerged from the Jingnan.

After returning for a short time, they began to act, preparing to occupy more pastures, and even wanted to take away Daning.

Later, after twists and turns, when Zhu Di personally expeditioned, he would always take care of these former little brothers from time to time.

Zhu Yunwen was clear that these people were not very likely to always submit to Ming. Their submission was only because they were defeated and chose to survive reluctantly.

Once they think they have enough strength and won’t lose to Ming again, it will be their time to rebel.

This time won’t be too far away.

Even if he gives them the New Army Policy, they will not thank Zhu Yunwen, let alone work hard for Ming.

Therefore, to solve the Duoyan Three Guards, pure military suppression is not feasible, and other methods are needed.

Whether it is the Oirats, the Tatars, or the Duoyan Three Guards, they all make a living by herding, and there are only a few things in their lives: women, children, cattle, sheep, horses, and grasslands.

What they eat and drink are all dependent on the grasslands.

If you want to wash your face, get a basin, get a pot, cook a meal, and drink some tea, but when you look back at your tent, there is nothing. Then, standing on a mound, looking at someone else’s home, you have nothing, but they do.

But they won’t sell you their things, and they won’t exchange them even with horses.

What to do?

There is only one way, rob them.

The wars between nomadic peoples and the Central Plains dynasties are largely caused by the desire for things you have but I don’t have, and I want them you don’t give it to me…

Now, Zhu Yuwen plans to give it to them.

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