You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Guangzhou.

It is the first stop for students from Europe and Southeast Asia who come to China.

Only foreigners who passed the preliminary examination in Guangzhou were qualified to study in the capital, thousands of miles away; the rest had to stay in Guangzhou to continue taking the exam.

Some say that Guangzhou is the only stairway to heaven and the only city of hope in the world.

……

Southeast corner of the city.

It was a designated residential area for foreigners specially developed by the government.

Patrick, an Irishman dressed in a worn-out long gown, wiped his mouth with a pigskin and then walked out of his rented room with a ruddy complexion.

In his hometown, he was a surgeon.

However, he believed that there was no future in being a doctor who only knew how to treat patients by bloodletting, so he abandoned medicine for politics, sold his family property, and came to the East with his life savings.

Middle-class individuals like Patrick are the backbone of the United Empire's global civil service examinations.

His neighbor, Adam, was a Parisian watchmaker who had come to Guangzhou after being expelled by Louis XIV.

As a craftsman, Adam is in excellent financial shape; when he runs out of money, he simply sells a watch!

Adam stared at Patrick's greasy lips.

"have you eaten?"

"I ate too much, I'm going for a walk to digest."

"Then you must order a pot of strong tea?"

"That is required."

The entire conversation was conducted in Chinese.

There was no coercion; it was entirely voluntary.

……

As soon as Patrick stepped out of the alley, he saw someone had written a line of words crookedly on the wall: "Of all professions, only studying is noble!"

Patrick thought for a moment, picked up a piece of coal, and wrote on the back: "In books there are houses of gold, in books there are abundant grains, in books there are beauties like jade."

I passed by Jinshi Lane.

Inside, there was a huge crowd, with long queues forming.

Patrick quickly grabbed a red-haired man in line and politely asked, "Excuse me, sir, what are you queuing for?"

The red-haired man clearly enjoyed the nickname.

"The latest exam materials have just been released, and they cost one tael of silver per book."

"So expensive?"

"It is said that this information is of high quality and was compiled by insiders."

"is it?"

Patrick left Jinshi Lane in a daze, his heart filled with anguish.

……

Fifteen minutes later~
He arrived at the Pearl River Estuary and sought out the foreman he knew.

"Any work today?"

"Yes, I have."

"okay."

Patrick took off his precious long gown; his job was to carry heavy loads for merchant ships docking at the shore to earn some money.

Although he was a scholar, he still had to bow to the pressures of making a living.

Carrying heavy loads is tiring and the income is meager.

He was working alongside many other candidates from various countries.

Part-time work and part-time study.

I worked while preparing for the exam.

Few people give up halfway through because they fail the exam.

In Guangzhou, there were more than 10,000 foreigners like Patrick who were professionally preparing for the imperial examinations.

The 17th century was a period of strict social hierarchy. In every European kingdom, the avenues for advancement for commoners were very narrow, or even nonexistent.

The only way for commoners in Europe to become officials was to become pirates.
……

Carrying such heavy bags is really tiring.

A few days later, Patrick found an easier job—working as an interpreter for the school administration.

Almost every month, hundreds of foreigners would board ships and set foot on the land of Guangzhou, only to be moved to tears as they gazed at the huge banner that read "Once you're here, you're an imperial citizen."

Before participating in the imperial examinations, everyone had to take a basic Chinese language course, similar to a preparatory course for studying abroad.

In 17th-century Europe, most people lacked basic literacy skills, so literacy education was essential.

The classroom was filled with red-haired, yellow-haired, and bald people.

The old scholar said something, and Patrick translated it.

……

First, it's about collecting money!
"Each person needs to pay 1 tael of silver to participate in the enlightenment course. The enlightenment course lasts for one month, and there will be a graduation exam after one month. The exam will test the listening, speaking, reading and writing of 1500 Chinese characters."

Some people can't even afford a mere tael or two of silver for tuition.

The scholar waved his hand dismissively:

"What's the point of studying if you can't afford it? Get them all out!"

Soon, a third of the students were gone from the classroom.

The global imperial examination system, under the unified empire, will not bear a single penny of the costs for foreign candidates. All candidates must pay their own way. No money? Go work in Guangzhou to save up.

……

The next step is the personal information inquiry section.

The old scholar opened the roster.

"Hans."

"it's me."

"Hans, which ship did you come on?"

"Disaster".

What class?

Third class.

"Then you can sit at the very back of the classroom."

The poor Hans tucked his tail between his legs and sat at the back of the classroom. Although he felt wronged, he dared not cry out loud.

……

The old scholar: "Barcelona."

"it's me."

"Barcelona, ​​which ship did you come on?"

"I came aboard the Royal Surprise."

What class?

First class.

"You move up three rows."

"Thank you, teacher."

"Barcelona, ​​how many suitcases do you have?"

"6 boxes."

"How many servants?"

"3."

"Then you can sit in the front row and listen to the lecture."

After the elegantly dressed Barça took his seat, he pulled out two letters from his sleeve.

"Teacher, these are my letters of introduction. One is from the Bishop of Naples, and the other is from the Governor of Naples."

"Come, come, you sit here, I'll sit down below."

The old scholar and Barcelona politely declined each other's offer, and finally sat down together on the podium.

……

After some adjustments, the class seating arrangement was now orderly.

This lesson clearly tells everyone to first recognize their own position, and then pursue a higher position.

The world is orderly.

Respect and order.

To be fair, the United Empire was indeed a pinnacle of human civilization in the 17th century.

"Fellow students, does anyone disagree with my point of view?"

"I disagree."

A red-haired young man with a strong sense of justice stood up, launched a scathing critique of the global civil service examination system in Spanish, and then stormed off.

The old scholar shook his head.

"Young people, too young, too naive!"

Not far from the classroom, the righteous red-haired youth was grabbed by several men, stuffed into a carriage, knocked unconscious, put in a sack, and thrown into the Pearl River.

……

In classrooms.

The old scholar picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote two large characters in regular script on the paper—"Master."

"Read after me, sir!"

"Master~"

"The purpose of studying is to become a master! You must remember this word!"

The old scholar shook his head.

After a month, the old scholar was very satisfied with Patrick's performance as translator and decided to give this young man, who was particularly respectful of his teachers, some pointers.

"Exams are coming up soon, how's your preparation going?"

"The student has failed the exam three times, but he will give it his all and keep trying." "You're a promising student; your perseverance is admirable. By the way, have you read 'The Duke of Zheng Defeats Duan at Yan'?"

"No."

Patrick's Confucian knowledge was only equivalent to that of a primary school student in a private school.

"Read it carefully after you get back; it will be very beneficial."

The old scholar patted Patrick on the shoulder meaningfully and then gracefully departed.

……

half a month later.

The second Guangzhou provincial examination of this year was held as scheduled.

The soldier pointed to a red-haired examinee in the line who was dressed in short clothes and barefoot.

"The Imperial Examination Hall has a rule that those who are not properly dressed are not allowed to enter."

"You cannot judge a book by its cover; that is wrong and goes against the teachings of the sages."

The red-haired barbarians struggled fiercely~
Clearly, he was indeed well-educated.

After inquiring about the reason, a civil official coldly said, "Not wearing a long gown is considered self-degradation. He shall be punished with 20 strokes of the cane and permanently disqualified from taking the exam."

Everyone looked at the unlucky fellow who was crying his eyes out and felt a sense of relief.

finished~
All that studying was for nothing~
"Candidates, please enter!"

"Start answering the questions."

Patrick's forehead was covered in sweat as he frantically wrote.

The questions in the global imperial examinations were generally not difficult, mainly consisting of dictation and comprehension questions. While doing the questions, he was surprised to find that one of the major questions was about Zheng Bo Ke Duan Yu Yan, and his heart pounded with excitement.

Sir, you are a truly kind person!
Besides Confucianism, the exam also included questions on physics and mathematics. Therefore, anyone who scored high must have been intelligent.

The purpose of the global civil service examinations was to screen and distinguish between the intelligent and the mediocre, and then assign them to their respective places.

……

The results will be released in 10 days.

The atmosphere in Guangzhou was tense.

All the foreigners stood silently at their doorsteps, craning their necks to wait for the scouts to bring good news.

Patrick kept drinking water.

Adam next door wasn't doing much better, constantly spinning in circles.

The imperial examination system is akin to a succubus.

No one can resist the temptation of becoming an official.

Dangdang~
The sound of the gong grew closer.

Patrick, leaning against the doorframe with sweat pouring down his forehead, watched helplessly as the newspaper walked into the neighboring yard. Instantly, his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, wailing loudly.

Adam was overjoyed.

"I won! I won!"

"Congratulations, Mr. Adam, you have achieved the 121st place in the Guangzhou provincial examination."

"Take it, take it."

"Thank you sir for the reward."

The reporter was overjoyed to receive the expensive pocket watch from Adam.

Listening to the cheers of his neighbor Adam, the watchmaker, Patrick realized with a profound understanding of what it means for human joys and sorrows to be uncommon.

I don’t know how long it took.

Suddenly, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and a group of reporters rushed in, shouting, "Congratulations, Mr. Patrick, on passing the Guangzhou provincial examination with top honors!"

Patrick stood there stunned for several seconds, tears streaming down his face.

"bingo!"

"I'm hit!"

……

"The auspicious time has come!"

"The God of Literature parades through the streets!"

With an honor guard leading the way and gongs and drums beating, Patrick, the top scholar in the provincial examination, wearing a red flower on his chest, rode a tall horse and led a group of foreign literary stars on a parade around the streets of Guangzhou.

Along the way~
The crowd of onlookers was enormous.

Envious eyes, awe-inspiring eyes, jealous eyes, cheers filling the air.

Patrick recited aloud:

In the past, there was no way to boast, and now there is no limit to thinking.

The spring breeze is proud of horseshoe disease, seeing Chang'an flowers in one day.

As he read, tears began to fall from his eyes.

At this moment, he truly understood Meng Jiao's thoughts after passing the imperial examination. Separated by thousands of years and tens of thousands of miles, two completely unrelated people had actually reached a connection.

The parade was meant to inspire.

To inspire those who did not pass the exam and give them hope.

The Guangzhou Education Bureau also thoughtfully provided more than 100 successful candidates with brand-new scholar's robes and 50 taels of silver, allowing them to wear their new clothes and celebrate with friends over drinks.

After we've used up all 50 taels, we'll head to the capital.

The allure of the imperial examination system was irresistible.

If this trend continues, it won't be long before the United Empire becomes the spiritual homeland of all ambitious people in the world.

……

Beijing.

More than 700 people from various countries who had passed the global imperial examinations entered the Forbidden City dressed in civil official robes and paid their respects to the high-ranking Grand Secretary.

After that, they will enter a foreign preparatory bureaucratic school.

After undergoing a cultural and value-based baptism, some of them were able to enter the United Empire as officials, both to control local officials and to serve as role models for the world.

That's the allure of the imperial examination system.

Cabinet meeting.

Many people had reservations about this.

Even a veteran official like Feng Shuan expressed his excitement: "If a large number of foreigners are appointed to official positions in the court, I fear that once this precedent is set, scholars throughout the land will regard the Grand Secretary as an enemy."

Zhou Shao remained silent.

Judging from his expression, he was also against it.

Jiang Qingyun smiled.

"In that case, let's restrict these people's path to officialdom and make them serve as officials in the censorate, customs, salt tax and other systems."

Seeing that everyone remained silent.

He also said:
"Customs duties and salt taxes were originally the private domain of royal servants. Now that foreigners are handling these, it doesn't mean they're taking away the place of all the scholars in the land, does it?"

"The position of Grand Secretary and the position of Censor have always been sacred places for scholars."

"Since ancient times?" Jiang Qingyun sneered. "The Censorate has been a place where officials hold positions without doing their jobs for more than one or two dynasties. I want to have foreigners and Chinese officials serving in the same government, checking and balancing each other. I want to see which side has more principles."

The hall was eerily silent.

Jiang Qingyun's voice was cold and stern.

"Now that things have come to this, I might as well tell you the truth."

"My vision of a united empire is one that is open and inclusive, free and prosperous. The people must not be ignorant, and the officials must not be greedy. Our culture should be promoted to the whole world, and we will firmly occupy the top of the global ecosystem for the next 500 years."

"There will be no more emperors whose word is law, no more barbarian dynasties, and no more Confucian culture that restricts people's freedom."

……

Someone asked in surprise.

"Does the Grand Secretary mean that you will never become emperor in this lifetime?"

"Yes."

Wow~
The hall was in an uproar.

Jiang Zhongcheng was furious and wished he could hang his unfilial son up and beat him severely.

Zhou Shao:

"If the Grand Secretary does not declare himself emperor, how will the political system of the united empire be structured?"

"Powers that originally belonged to the monarch will be distributed to the cabinet and local authorities, with the local authorities having most of the power except for diplomacy and the military."

Instantly, the hall fell into an eerie silence.

The cabinet members suddenly stopped objecting. It seems that the Grand Secretary's description of this "pro version" of Ming Dynasty civil service politics isn't so bad after all.

Springtime has arrived for civil servants.

yes~
Led by Feng Shuan, they knelt down and shouted, "Long live the Grand Secretary! Long live the Grand Secretary!"

Amidst shouts of "Long live the Emperor!", Jiang Qingyun stood up.

"For the sake of uniting the empire, please set a good example and do not pay lip service to it."

"As ordered."

Everyone said in unison.

Apart from a very few people like Jiang Zhongcheng and Suksaha, everyone else thought the system described by the Grand Secretary was quite good. We civil officials certainly don't want to be under the thumb of Emperor Wu of Han or Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

Civil officials ruling the country will usher in an era of lasting peace.

……

After the meeting.

On a whim, Jiang Qingyun inspected the two fortified bastions next to the Yuquanshan Palace.

Low, thick, sloping stone walls.

A wide trench covered with barbed wire.

The firing emplacements are arranged in a staggered manner.

Lightweight and agile shotgun.

There are also gunpowder depots, grain depots, troop hiding places, troop transport trenches, command posts, and so on. In short, this is a defensive epic composed of stars, geometry, and gunpowder.

At the end of his inspection of the bastion, Jiang Qingyun pointed to the well with a serious expression.

"There must be water in the well." (End of Chapter)