Chapter 224 The academy begins examination, and nobles gather!

Shandong
Yanzhou Prefecture

Qufu
The Kong family is very powerful, and the entire Qufu County can be said to be the Kong family’s fiefdom.

All the land outside the city was the Kong family’s sacrificial fields, and the people who cultivated the land were the Kong family’s tenants.

The county magistrate sent by the court seemed more like a decoration.

Not only in Qufu, but more than half of the land in Yanzhou Prefecture belongs to the Kong family.

Even members of the collateral clan can act arrogantly outside.

At this moment, in the main hall of Confucius Mansion.

“Master, I have found out clearly.”

“Jia Cong wants to open a Dongli Academy in the capital, intending to recruit scholars from poor families!”

“The news has spread to Shandong, Jiangnan and other places!”

A steward of the Kong family walked into the main hall and reported respectfully.

“Dongli Academy? Recruiting poor scholars?”

“Jia Cong, you are dreaming!”

Kong Yanjin looked gloomy, and a hint of dejection could still be seen on his face.

However, it was because of the battle in Shenjing that he was seriously injured. Even if he took a lot of elixirs, he would not be able to recover in a short time.

“He thinks he can accomplish anything by relying on those poor people?”

“Tian Zhen, the power of this world is still in the hands of the nobles.”

“But since he is seeking his own death…”

“Then my Kong family will add fuel to the fire.”

With a sneer, Kong Yanjin already had an idea in his mind.

“Master, there is one more thing!”

“I have found out that Jia Cong has built temples in five prefectures in Jiangnan and Shandong except our Yanzhou Prefecture.”

“Most temples are dedicated to ghosts.”

“It’s quite a big deal. The person in charge of this is Jia Cong’s senior sister, the Three-phase Immortal who was canonized by the court.”

“Should we send someone to…”

At this time, the steward reported another matter.

“Worshipping ghosts?”

“Could it be the work of the Luo Tian Sect behind Jia Cong?”

“Want to refine a troop of Taoist soldiers?”

Kong Yanjin frowned when he heard this.

Many of the major Taoist sects in the Xuanmen also built Taoist temples to collect the power of incense and candles to assist in cultivation.

After thinking for a while, Kong Yanjin couldn’t figure out the reason behind Jia Cong’s behavior, so he put the matter aside for the time being.

“This is not urgent!”

“Chengxi is still in Jia Cong’s hands. The most urgent task is to find a way to rescue Chengxi.”

“Otherwise, if we take action again, we will inevitably be tied up.”

“Jia Cong wants to establish a school. This is a good opportunity!”

“Take my handwritten letter and go to Yin Yang Family.”

“In the past, the Yin-Yang family received great favors from the Kong family. Now it is time to repay them.”

“This time, we must not only rescue Chengxi, but also make that little Jia Cong lose face!”

……

Shenjing City

Before New Year’s Day, the end of the year is approaching.

A joyful atmosphere has enveloped the streets and alleys of the city.

It’s just that this year is different from previous years.

With the opening of Dongli Academy approaching, a large number of scholars have flocked to the city of Shenjing.

The number increases daily.

Not to mention the inns in the city, even the farmers’ homes in the countryside outside the city have poor students staying there.

The country slaves were simple and honest. They could stay overnight for a day for just a few copper coins, and they would also provide two meals a day.

Although it is a coarse grain porridge, it is enough to fill the stomach.

Up to now, the turmoil caused by the academy has been far greater than Jia Cong had imagined.

Even scholars from Shu came to Beijing.

As a last resort, the period is one month.

Delayed again and again.

More than a dozen vast “Bowenyuan” were built outside the city gates in the southeast, northwest, and northeast directions, imitating the layout of the large canteen in the previous life.

We asked someone to provide rice porridge, pot cakes, steamed bread, and a few stews.

Three meals a day were provided free of charge to the scholars who came to Beijing to study. On weekdays, some poetry gatherings and discussions on current affairs were also held.

To promote the literary reputation of outstanding scholars.

It seemed that Jia Cong’s reputation and prestige were further enhanced by opening thousands of taels of silver every day.

This is something that money can’t buy.

In addition, the original enrollment plan was 300 people.

Because there were so many people coming, we had to triple the price.

……

Until the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month!
Suitable for sacrifices, travel, and opening of business!
It was also the day Jia Cong selected for Dongli Academy to hold examinations and select students.

More than twenty miles south of Shenjing City.

Originally in the Xue family’s manor, a grand academy has been built!

Emperor Shunde said that it was Jia Cong who was in charge, but he also sent a master craftsman from the Ministry of Works to take charge.

Since it was going to be built, Jia Cong simply completed all the buildings at once and put them into use in batches.

This will save the trouble of large-scale construction when the academy expands in the future.

It delays and disturbs the students in the academy.

The entire academy building complex covers an area of ​​200 acres. It is dignified, grand in scale, and majestic in style.

It cost more than three million taels!
Even the vast square in front of the academy was paved with fine stone bricks.

The four characters “Dongli Academy” written by Emperor Shunde himself are shining in gold.

……

“Xue Zhiyong, the county magistrate of Nanyang, has arrived, and presented 100 sets of top-quality study tools to celebrate the opening of Dongli Academy!”

“General Sui Maoxiang, the commander of the Shandong camp of Ningyuan Marquis, has arrived and sent a gift of 10,000 taels of silver to support the students of the academy!”

“Dongping Marquis Mu Kangwen has arrived, and he has presented a gift of 100 rare South China Sea beads!”

“Duke of Wei Chu Zhaozhong…”

“The cabinet has arrived to congratulate Mr.

……

When Dongli Academy opened, Jia Cong originally had no intention of organizing it on a grand scale.

But how come I’m in this position today.

In a sense, even a casual action can be seen as a major event that can shake the capital in the eyes of others.

Civil and military officials in the court, and all the nobles and generals in the capital.

From civil servants of the fourth or fifth rank to dukes and ministers.

They came in person to watch the ceremony and presented a large number of gifts.

Since the other person came with good intentions, Jia Cong couldn’t chase him away.

Therefore, the examination time for the students was postponed, and the civil and military judges were ordered to greet guests at the door.

“Duke of Wei, Chu Zhaogang, my ancestors once followed him to conquer Mobei!”

“Even Mr. He from the Cabinet is here!”

“As expected of the Marquis of Jing’an, the opening of a school can attract so many high-ranking officials from the court to come and watch the ceremony.”

“Just to see the excitement this time is worth the trip.”

Outside the academy, tens of thousands of students who came to take the entrance examination were amazed.

High-ranking officials and nobles in the court, who are rarely seen by ordinary people on weekdays, came one after another today.

If it weren’t for the academy deep outside the city at this moment.

I thought it was the New Year’s Day ceremony.

……

“Congratulations to Marquis Jing’an on the opening of the academy to select and train talents for the country. This is a move that benefits the country and the people. I admire it!”

“My Lord, if the academy needs anything, just let me know!”

“Your Majesty has bestowed a plaque on this academy. Among all the academies in the world, the Marquis’ Dongli Academy is the only one.”

The academy was bustling with activity.

Even the Kaiyuan lineage, which was in competition with the founding lineage under Jia Cong, changed its previous style.

Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, he tried his best to ease the relationship with Jia Cong.

Flattering words are as free as can be.

Until the eldest prince and the second prince arrived.

I thought that the academy would be open only if Emperor Shunde came to preside over it.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, the voice of Judge Wen welcoming guests and calling out their names could be heard again from the front yard.

“The head of the Gongshu family, Gongshu Hong, has arrived. He respectfully presents three third-level domineering mechanical puppets to congratulate the opening of Dongli Academy!”

Refresh after three minutes

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(End of this chapter)