Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 276 Scholars Listen to Examination Results in the Hall of Imperial Decree
"Your Highness, the evaluation results for the heirs have been released. As per Your Highness's request, the rankings have been completed, and the essays of the top ten have also been brought for Your Highness to preview." After settling down, Xia Yuanji immediately took a stack of papers and handed them to Xiao Xizi, who was serving nearby, so that Xiao Xizi could pass them on to Zhu Zhanhe for review.

"Your Highness," Xiao Xizi respectfully presented a stack of densely written papers to Zhu Zhanhe. Zhu Zhanhe first picked up the list of rankings of two hundred people, glanced at it, and then put it back. After all, his father-in-law still had a document to submit, which Zhu Zhanhe guessed was the land allocation plan! That was what he was most interested in!

"Your Highness, this is the plan for land allocation after the expansion." Seeing that his son-in-law only glanced at it briefly before putting the list of scholars' achievements back, Xia Yuanji shrewdly took out another plan for land allocation and handed it to Xiao Xizi.

"Your Highness!" When Xiao Xizi saw Xia Yuanji take out this memorial, the Crown Prince's eyes lit up. He quickly came to Xia Yuanji, bent down and presented the memorial to Zhu Zhanhe.

"Excellent!" Zhu Zhanhe's eyes gleamed as he looked at the thick list of memorials in his hand, which bore the bold words: "Plan for the Distribution of Land for the Outward Expansion of Yunnan." With this document in hand, Zhu Zhanhe felt confident in his comprehensive expansion into the entire Indochina Peninsula!

From now on, Zhu Zhanhe will have a people's warrior in his hands, born for battle and for the land!
"Phew~" Zhu Zhanhe let out a long sigh of relief, exhaling some of the pent-up frustration in his heart. He slowly opened the memorial in his hand, examining it carefully and attentively. He was astonished to find that the memorial was quite substantial, containing not only land allocation standards for civil and military officials at various levels, but also reward standards for victories and deductions for defeats, rewards for killing enemies, rewards for sieges, and even rewards for capturing cities without bloodshed.

Moreover, the requirements for soldiers from other ethnic groups were written in great detail. For example, if a soldier from another ethnic group survived a battle, he would receive half the treatment of the soldiers from the second battle onwards. Another example is that a soldier from another ethnic group would receive the same treatment as the soldiers from the Yunnan army after surviving five battles.

Even the exchange rates for different types of land were explained, and measures were in place to allow soldiers who didn't want land to exchange it for equivalent amounts of gold, silver, livestock, etc. These were all documented. Such examples are numerous.

"Father-in-law, you've worked hard. Let's proceed with the land allocation plan for now." Zhu Zhanhe reviewed the proposal for a long time and agreed to it without hesitation. After all, at the very end of the memorial, his father-in-law, Xia Yuanji, had even provided an estimated amount of land remaining for the Prince's residence after the conquest of Annam and the completion of the land allocation—approximately 60% of the land would be left for the Prince's residence! It must be said, his father-in-law had indeed done a very meticulous job!
"Xiao Xizi, summon all the scholars of the Tongwen Academy!"
"Please invite Duke Mu over again." Zhu Zhanhe was very satisfied with his father-in-law's land allocation plan, so he only glanced at the results of the scholars' evaluation before deciding to adopt them. After all, for Zhu Zhanhe, filling the vacancies was the most important thing right now.

Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe summoned the scholars without hesitation, intending to directly assign them official positions so that they could take up their posts as quickly as possible and begin their work.

"Yes!" Upon hearing the young master's words, Xiao Xizi promptly ran out the door. After all, he could see that the young master was in a hurry.

"Father-in-law, let's go to Chengyun Hall first." Zhu Zhanhe looked at his father-in-law, who looked exhausted, and stepped forward to help him, feeling a little embarrassed. After all, his father-in-law had worked so hard for him.

"Your Highness." Xia Yuanji was so shocked by his son-in-law's sudden support that he was momentarily dazed. His body stiffened as his son-in-law helped him toward Chengyun Hall.

"Father-in-law, the construction of the Six Ministries is urgent and cannot be delayed. Today, I will be willful and build a framework first. We will need your timely improvement and supplementation." Looking at his tired father-in-law, Zhu Zhanhe decided to use the personnel selected today to first build the basic framework of the Six Ministries, and then slowly add more people to improve the structure.

"Okay!" Xia Yuanji was still in shock at being helped by his son-in-law, and his head was still a little dizzy, but he still responded to his son-in-law's words.

Soon, Zhu Zhanhe and his father-in-law arrived at Chengyun Hall. As they approached the entrance, Xia Yuanji insisted that his son-in-law no longer offer assistance. After all, there was a distinction between ruler and subject; while filial piety was acceptable in private, publicly, he had to uphold his son-in-law's dignity as the Crown Prince! Soon after, a group of scholars arrived at Chengyun Hall, their eyes fixed intently on Zhu Zhanhe. Mu Sheng was also summoned by Xiao Xizi, and he stood alongside Xia Yuanji at the forefront of the scholars' group.

"Distinguished scholars, the results of this evaluation are now in, and I believe this is what you have all been hoping for. I will not waste any more time and will now announce the results directly."

Of course, if anyone has any objections to the results issued by the Prince's Mansion, please go to the display stand at the entrance of the Prince's Mansion after this matter is over and check the top articles yourself.

"That's all I have to say. Let's begin." Zhu Zhanhe didn't want to waste time arguing with the numerous scholars, as he was quite busy. Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe directly set the tone for the evaluation results. "The results I've made are final. Anyone with objections, please leave!"
Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words, the faces of the scholars below the stage grew solemn. They could see that the Crown Prince of Han was unyielding and had made his decision decisively. Anyone who dared to object would likely face dire consequences. Therefore, everyone stared intently at the Crown Prince, anticipating whether the announced outcome would truly give him the confidence to stand firm.
"Your subject obeys the imperial decree." After hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words, Xia Yuanji respectfully bowed to Zhu Zhanhe, his eyes filled with satisfaction for his wise ruler.

"Distinguished scholars, we have been ordered by His Highness the Heir Apparent of the Prince of Han to select officials for our newly expanded territory of Yunnan. The results are now in, and we are informing you of them. Please listen attentively."

"First place, Zhang Dazhu, a scholar from Jiangsu;" Xia Yuanji picked up the written evaluation results of the scholars and began to announce the first place. As soon as Xia Yuanji's voice fell, a scholar who was nearly forty years old, with a weathered face, slightly white hair, and a short beard, walked out of the crowd with a shocked expression and stiff posture, and came to the front of the crowd.

"Zhang Dazhu, a scholar from Jiangsu, kowtows to express his gratitude to His Highness the Crown Prince for his great kindness!" The slightly older Zhang Dazhu knelt respectfully before the assembled scholars, facing Zhu Zhanhe on the high platform, his eyes filled with glistening tears. Zhang Dazhu silently clenched his fists. He, a commoner, had finally seen his day. He would repay His Highness the Crown Prince's immense kindness with his life!
"Second place, Song Zhegui, a scholar from Anhui;" Xia Yuanji continued reading the name of the scholar who ranked second in the examination.

"Song Zhegui, a scholar from Anhui, kowtows to express his gratitude to His Highness the Crown Prince!" A robust scholar in his thirties stepped forward from among the many scholars, his face full of excitement, and knelt respectfully before Zhu Zhanhe, kowtowing to him with heartfelt gratitude.

"Third place, Chai Lan, a scholar from Zhejiang;" Xia Yuanji continued reading the name of the third scholar.

"Chai Lan, a scholar from Zhejiang, kowtows to express his gratitude for His Highness's great favor!" This time, it was another scholar, nearly forty years old and tall, who walked out of the crowd with firm steps, passing one scholar after another, and respectfully knelt before Zhu Zhanhe amidst the excited gazes of countless scholars.

Fourth place: Yao Guan, a scholar from Zhejiang;
Fifth place: Xu Tongshu, a scholar from Jiangxi;
Sixth place: Zhang Fu, a scholar from Henan;

"Sixth place." Xia Yuanji continued reading the examination rankings of all the scholars. Everyone listened quietly, and as Xia Yuanji called their names, they respectfully stepped forward to bow and kowtow to Zhu Zhanhe. Furthermore, everyone was arranged in a neat and orderly manner with the top three as the center, extending to the sides and back.

(End of this chapter)