I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 151 Respecting food is respecting the people! Shen Ziheng's Wheat Field Class

May 9th, early morning.

Twenty-eight junior scholars awoke in a wooden shed built by tenant farmers at the Banqiao Imperial Estate.

This night.

Although they were exhausted, few of them were able to get a good night's sleep.

Because of hunger, because of mosquitoes, because the wooden plank he was lying on was too hard, and because his hands and feet were pricked by wheat straw, causing his whole body to burn with pain.

After getting up, everyone drew water from the well to wash their faces.

Breakfast consisted of two multigrain steamed buns and a bowl of wild vegetable porridge.

At this moment, apart from muttering a few "Shen the Skinflint," the junior scholars had no other complaints and quickly finished off the steamed buns and wild vegetable porridge.

They need to replenish their energy.

they know.

Shen Nian dared to torture them like this, which must have been tacitly approved by those above; resistance was futile.

This matter will also be taken into account in performance evaluations.

In order to advance their careers, they had to do everything in their power.

After a while.

The scholars rushed to the wheat fields once again.

Since the division of labor was clarified yesterday afternoon, their efficiency has improved significantly.

At this time.

Shen Nian, the supervisor, also appeared beside the wheat field.

He slept in the carriage last night and never left; his arms were covered in mosquito bites.

He was very pleased to see the young scholars working together so diligently.

This batch of junior scholars is more resilient than he imagined.

Shen Nian didn't care whether they could harvest 100 acres of wheat fields within three days. She only cared whether, through this wheat harvesting operation, they could put aside their differences and stop being divided into factions based on region, family background, or temperament.

What Shen Nian hates most is officials forming factions and attacking each other, which leads to factional strife.

Just a few days ago.

These junior scholars, arguing and fighting, clearly had this tendency.

They would be staying at the Shuchang Hall for at least two years, and Shen Nian didn't want them to spend that time in such an atmosphere.

……

Lean slightly.

Shen Nian walked to Feng Mengzhen's side.

Feng Mengzhen looked delighted, feeling that Shen Nian would praise him, because his wheat-cutting speed was more than twice as fast as yesterday, and his movements were quite standard.

"Feng Mengzhen, your speed is almost as fast as the nine-year-old kid in the neighbor's wheat field!" Shen Nian mocked.

Hear this.

Feng Mengzhen's face darkened, and she quickened her pace.

Actually, his speed isn't slow at all.

But he was the most troublesome among all the scholars, so Shen Nian wanted to provoke him.

This kind of arrogant junior scholar can only have his potential stimulated by suppression.

At this time.

Shen Nian saw Zhang Sixiu not far away, looking in this direction.

Feng Mengzhen always made things difficult for Zhang Sixiu, and Zhang Sixiu was happy to see him being scolded.

"Zhang Sixiu, what are you looking at? You're not even as fast as him!" Shen Nian said bluntly.

Zhang Sixiu gripped the sickle tightly and increased his speed once again.

He's already working really hard!

He wanted to show all the scholars that, setting aside his family background, he was also outstanding.

Next.

Shen Nian reprimanded almost all twenty-eight junior scholars.

This was his tactic of provoking someone.

He hoped these people could unite and treat him as their common enemy.

In this way, they will be more efficient.

This method is only applicable to those who are just starting their careers in government, and it is completely useless against seasoned veterans in the bureaucracy.

As Shen Nian had predicted, the speed of the scholars increased once again.

They were determined to prove to Shen Nian that they could do it.

……

In the blink of an eye, it was noon.

The junior scholars took off their coarse cloth shirts, which were already soaked with sweat, and all of them took a shower in front of a well with their shirts bare.

Despite his status as the son of the Grand Secretary, Zhang Sixiu appeared arrogant, but in reality, he had no airs whatsoever and dared not be.

Lü Xingzhou was a very kind person.

Someone used a wet towel to rub the backs of the two people, and the two people also used a wet towel to rub the backs of the two people.

They chatted and laughed together, without any distinction of rank or status.

However, Zhang Sixiu and Feng Mengzhen, these two rivals, remained silent.

After a while.

As the young scholars finished their lunch and were about to rest for a while, Shen Nian strode over.

"Instructor Shen!" Everyone bowed in greeting.

Shen Nian nodded slightly and said, "Do you know how many acres of wheat were harvested from noon yesterday to noon today, the whole day?"

The scholars all shook their heads.

They were so focused on working hard that they didn't calculate how many acres they had harvested in total.

Shen Nian pursed her lips and said, "Twenty-two mu."

Upon hearing this number, many of the junior scholars showed expressions of helplessness.

Twenty-two mu a day, sixty-six mu in three days. At this rate, it's impossible to complete the task of one hundred mu in three days.

Shen Nian put her hands behind her back.

"Do you know how many acres of land the tenant farmers next door can harvest in a day? Working together, each of them can harvest at least two acres a day, while you average less than one acre a day. Isn't that terrible?"

"Let's all think about what to do next!" With that, Shen Nian strode away.

The scholars all considered themselves outstanding individuals, and each was fiercely competitive. Naturally, they were unwilling to be called inferior by Shen Nian.

They immediately gathered together to discuss it.

After discussing for a while, the group came up with a solution: extend the harvesting time.

“I think that from today onwards, we can only complete the mission if we keep harvesting wheat until midnight!” Feng Mengzhen said.

"Yes, let's give it a shot. Instructor Shen's words were too hurtful!"

"Will anyone find it difficult to persevere until midnight?" Zhang Sixiu asked.

Feng Mengzhen glanced disdainfully at Zhang Sixiu and said, "Young Master Zhang, you are used to a life of luxury and may not be able to persevere, but for the sake of our careers, we must persevere even if we can't!"

"Yes, we can persevere!"

"We can hold on, it's only two days, right? We'll make Instructor Shen look at us with new eyes!"

……

The other junior scholars spoke up one after another.

Zhang Sixiu looked displeased and said, "I'm not saying I can't keep going, it's just that some people with weaker constitutions might not be able to. My father is often busy until midnight, so naturally I can harvest wheat until midnight too!"

Upon hearing this, none of the scholars could refute it.

Everyone is aware of Zhang Juzheng's practice of working through the night to assist in governance.

Immediately.

The scholars then decided that the wheat would be harvested until midnight for the next two nights.

After a while.

While drinking herbal tea in the carriage, Shen Nian learned that the scholars were preparing to harvest wheat at midnight to complete their task.

I couldn't help but feel a bit amused and exasperated.

He reprimanded the junior scholars, intending only to help them work together better, but he didn't expect them to learn the intricacies of officialdom.

But upon closer reflection, it wasn't entirely unexpected.

All those who passed the imperial examinations and became Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest level of the imperial examinations) did so by studying day and night with fervent dedication.

This includes Zhang Sixiu and Lü Xingzhou.

……

It was late at night, the moonlight was bright, and a cool breeze was blowing.

There's no need to light torches at all.

The scholars worked diligently to harvest the wheat, cooperating seamlessly.

They were surprised to find that harvesting wheat under the moonlight was faster, more comfortable, and even had a touch of romantic poetry.

But right now, nobody has the energy to write poetry.

All the scholars and officials kept their word, working straight until midnight, then quickly washing up before going to bed.

Shen Nian didn't rest until midnight.

He plans to do two things tomorrow morning: first, summon several physicians and prepare commonly used medicines in case anyone suffers an accident due to overwork; second, add an extra egg to everyone's breakfast.

These people are, after all, the future pillars of the court, and should be taken care of in some way.

……

The next day, at dawn.

After breakfast, the junior scholars quickly got to work.

Everyone had a serious expression, clearly they were all taking it seriously.

……

Noon, lunchtime.

Ma Bantou came before Shen Nian and reported to him the number of acres of wheat that the Shujishi had harvested the next day.

Upon witnessing this scene, the junior scholars all turned to look at Shen Nian.

Many people couldn't help but puff out their chests, clearly very confident in the results of yesterday's work.

Shen Nian looked at everyone and said, "Yesterday went quite well; we harvested a total of thirty-eight mu of wheat! Now, on the last day, there are still forty mu left to harvest."

Hear this number.

The scholars were overjoyed. If they could maintain the speed of the second day and put in a little more effort, they would be able to complete the task smoothly on the third day.

After lunch, the scholars and officials got to work with great enthusiasm.

To advance their careers, to achieve good performance reviews, and to prove that they excel at everything they do, this group of people are incredibly ruthless towards themselves.

……

And this moment.

The young Wanli Emperor, who was in the Wenhua Hall, was fully aware of the situation of the scholars in the wheat field.

When Shen Nian proposed this wheat harvesting lesson, he also wanted to join in the fun and experience the joy of harvesting, but Empress Dowager Li did not allow it, nor did Zhang Juzheng.

If a ruler were to spend most of the day harvesting wheat in a field, the censors would impeach him. This was not something an emperor could do.

That evening, the scholars were busy until midnight.

now.

All the scholars had become much darker from the sun, and their clothes had developed an unpleasant odor.

Some people can even stand in front of their family members and not be recognized at a glance.

The third day, the last half day.

The work continues.

There was still more than half an hour before noon.

Twenty-eight junior scholars, led by Feng Mengzhen and Zhang Sixiu, drove an oxcart and hauled the last basket of wheat to the threshing ground.

Then they all looked towards Shen Nian, who was waiting for them not far away.

Shen Nian looked at them and said loudly, "Mission accomplished! You all did a great job!"

The junior scholars were just waiting for these words!

After Shen Nian finished speaking.

They couldn't help but cheer, embracing each other and those around them in celebration.

Feng Mengzhen and Zhang Sixiu looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

Afterwards, all the junior scholars lay down on the ears of wheat in the threshing ground, breathing in the fragrance of the wheat.

They had never been so tired.

Just as Shen Nian was preparing to give a speech and explain the tasks assigned to him by the cabinet.

A sudden gust of wind picked up.

Then, the sun hid behind the clouds, and the sky gradually darkened.

Shen Nian looked up and saw a dark, leaden cloud approaching in the distance.

It's obviously going to rain.

Summer rain always arrives abruptly.

At this time.

The voices of farmers could be heard from not far away: "It's going to rain! Hurry up and harvest the wheat! Hurry up and harvest the wheat!"

Farmers always rush to harvest wheat: firstly, to prevent the ripe wheat from falling to the ground, and secondly, to prevent it from being irrigated by heavy rain.

If the wheat in the threshing ground is soaked in water, it will all be ruined.

Just as a group of tenant farmers rushed to the threshing ground to harvest the wheat, Shen Nian also quickly rolled up his sleeves.

Although he didn't think much of the grain.

But respecting food is respecting the people, and we must never allow it to be destroyed.

Before Shen Nian could even speak to the junior scholars...

Feng Mengzhen shouted, "Brothers, let's harvest the grain!"

The junior scholars rushed to the wooden sheds ahead to retrieve farm tools, and then joined the farmers who were rushing over and the imperial guards on the field ridges to get busy.

What everyone had to do was quickly gather the wheat ears into baskets and then move them to the wooden shed not far away.

Immediately, everyone got busy.

They were faster and more energetic than when they were harvesting wheat.

This behavior is not subject to evaluation.

But every junior scholar gave it their all without stopping for a moment.

At this moment, everyone is a farmer.

Wow! Wow! Wow!

The wheat ears were continuously poured into the wooden shed.

In about half an hour, almost all the wheat ears on the threshing floor were moved into the wooden shed.

then.

A group of farmers and scholars squatted on the ground and began to pick up the fallen ears of wheat.

Just then, a clap of thunder rang out.

Boom! Boom!
The sky suddenly darkened, and then a torrential downpour began.

Farmers and scholars rushed toward the wooden shed.

at this time.

Zhang Sixiu, who was carrying a basket, suddenly fell to the ground.

That fall was very hard; blood immediately appeared on his knee.

not far away.

Feng Mengzhen, who was closest to him, quickly helped him up, then picked up the fallen wheat ears and helped him walk towards the greenhouse.

A moment later, everyone was crammed into the wooden shed.

Thunder rumbled, and the rain poured down harder.

The junior scholars sat back to back on the still-hot, hard ground, without saying a word.

this moment.

Everyone felt it was wonderful.

The thunderstorm came quickly and went quickly, ending in less than fifteen minutes.

As everyone gazed at the gradually brightening sky and the barren wheat fields around them, they neither wanted to move nor had the strength to.

At this time.

Tang Xianzu looked at Shen Nian.

"Teacher Shen, is this wheat harvesting lesson over? Shouldn't you summarize why you tortured us like this?"

"Yes, why are you torturing us like this?"

The junior scholars all looked at Shen Nian at the same time, their voices loud and questioning, but each of them had a smile on their face.

Shen Nian slowly stood up and said with a smile, "What do you mean by torture? I wanted to use this method to make you put aside your prejudices and stop arguing and fighting over trivial matters. Now it seems that I have achieved my goal. You are even more outstanding than I imagined. How you treat these wheat is how you will treat the court and the people in the future!"

Hearing these words, all the junior scholars were very happy; they had been waiting for Shen Nian to praise them!
Shen Nian paused for a moment, then continued, “Bringing a group of junior scholars to harvest wheat is something the four Grand Secretaries would not normally allow. It took me a lot of effort to get them to agree, but there is one condition: after you return to the Junior Scholars’ Office, each of you must write an article on the topic of this wheat harvest, which must be no less than a thousand words.”

Upon hearing this, the junior scholars all curled their lip in disapproval.

They currently have a slight liking for Shen Nian because Shen Nian doesn't spout academic nonsense or assign homework like Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue, and Wang Tang.

I never expected Shen Nian to end up like this.

Seeing that all the junior scholars were pouting, Shen Nian added, "This is what the four Grand Secretaries requested. If you don't want to write it, go find them!"

All the scholars and officials could only smile helplessly.

At this moment, relying on their success in harvesting wheat, they dared to banter with Shen Nian.

However, if one dared to disregard etiquette and make unreasonable demands in front of the four Grand Secretaries, their career could be immediately terminated.

Shen Nian paused for a moment, then added, "While we are in the wheat field, I would like to share with you a principle of officialdom that cannot be spoken of in the Hanlin Academy. This will be of great benefit to your future, but after you leave here, you must not claim that it was me who said it."

The scholars nodded in agreement, their ears perked up with great curiosity.

Shen Nian said, “When officials of the Ming Dynasty discuss politics, they love to argue and fight. The court has repeatedly forbidden this, believing that such behavior is uncivilized. I don’t think so.”

"I believe that when arguing about national affairs and people's livelihood, we should argue until we understand the truth. As for fighting, I don't really support it, but when we encounter officials who have no regard for the country or the people and are purely driven by selfishness, if they are stubborn and refuse to listen to advice, regardless of their rank, we should take action when necessary. This is the backbone of our Ming Dynasty officials, and we must not lose it. Some people deserve to be beaten!"

Upon hearing Shen Nian's words...

All the junior scholars rose, bowed to Shen Nian, and said in unison, "We have learned a great deal!"

This statement may seem crude, but the more you reflect on it, the deeper its meaning becomes.

In the imperial court, it is crucial to avoid any overlap or interdependence.

An official who, after several years in office, still dares to criticize or beat when necessary, is definitely a good official.

Shen Nian did not want these junior scholars to quarrel because of their own prejudices, but he was even more unwilling for them to lose their spirit, so he gave them this instruction.

A short while later, Shen Nian and the other scholars returned to the city.

……

Five days later, at noon.

Inside the Shuchang Hall.

When the scholars arrived at the dining hall, just as they were about to eat, they found plates of bright white, steaming steamed buns laid out on the table.

And at the table not far away.

Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue, Wang Tang, and Shen Nian were each holding a large steamed bun and eating it with relish.

The dishes had not yet been served.

The scholars and officials quickly bowed to the four men.

Shen Nian stood up and said, "Eat more steamed buns today. They were made from the wheat you harvested."

Upon hearing this, the eyes of all the junior scholars lit up immediately.

They all took their seats.

Then he took a big steamed bun in each hand and started munching on it.

When the dishes were served, almost no one touched their chopsticks; they just kept gnawing on steamed buns.

Two of the junior scholars, while eating, couldn't help but sob.

After a while.

The crowd gradually dispersed after each person had eaten at least three steamed buns.

……

Meanwhile, inside the Cabinet Office.

Zhang Juzheng and Lü Diaoyang sat facing each other, with two steamed buns on their plates in front of them.

These are steamed buns made from the wheat harvested by the junior scholars.

Shen Shixing specially delivered it.

Both Zhang Juzheng and Lü Diaoyang were very clear about what happened at Banqiao Huangzhuang.

When Shen Nian asked them for permission, they thought it was a bit ridiculous, but they still agreed.

The results surprised them!
This wheat harvesting task brought all the junior scholars of this cohort to a state of calm and unity.

This was a problem that was difficult to solve in previous years.

What surprised the couple even more was that this incident made their son more sociable.

Zhang Juzheng and Lü Diaoyang picked up the steamed buns almost simultaneously and took a small bite.

There were smiles on their faces.

For those in high positions, chewing on steamed buns made from wheat harvested by their sons is a kind of happiness.

……

After the incident of the Shujishi harvesting wheat.

Officials, scholars, and merchants from the surrounding areas of the capital followed suit and flocked to the wheat fields to experience the joy of harvesting wheat.

Next year's wheat harvest.

I suspect that officials, merchants, and scholars in many parts of the Ming Dynasty would do the same thing.

As long as it's not just for show or to gain empty fame, like cutting a row of wheat and running away, Shen Nian thinks it should be encouraged.

After all, respecting food is respecting the people.

(End of this chapter)