King of Beiyang

Without a doubt, the Japanese devils were the most vicious enemy of the entire country and nation in that era.

If the British and the Gallic peoples waged war for money, and the Russians for land, then the Japanese wanted everything!

They want not only money, but also land, and they want to enslave our people and turn us all into slaves of a conquered nation!

A few years later, in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, the backbone of the entire nation and people was broken.

For half a century, the entire nation endured countless hardships.

It even led many people to kneel before foreigners from the bottom of their hearts.

Whether they are Westerners, Japanese, or even Black people, as long as they are foreigners, we can't afford to mess with them. We should just kneel down obediently!

Even more than a hundred years later, the country has become very powerful. Whether it's the economy, the military, or the technology, it's among the best in the world.

But perhaps he had been kneeling for too long and could no longer stand up.

Even worse, there are many women who idolize foreigners and take pride in marrying foreigners.

Even if someone is dark-skinned, as long as they are not one's own compatriots, they seem to be superior to others.

As the saying goes, men guard the land, and women guard the bloodline!

When a nation cannot even preserve its bloodline, does that nation still have hope?

Li Jingyuan hoped that he could turn things around from the very beginning.

If, in the ensuing Sino-Japanese War, we could withstand the Japanese invasion, thwart their ambitions, and even turn the tide and defeat them, then everything might be completely different.

In this already corrupt country, the only force capable of accomplishing this was the Beiyang Army.

Despite this, the Beiyang Army also had many problems.

As the saying goes, if the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked too. Even Li Hongzhang, the founder of the Beiyang Group, was a major corrupt official, so it was impossible to expect the people below to be honest and upright.

Fortunately, there were quite a few people in the Beiyang Army who were greedy for life and afraid of death.

However, there are also many who are willing to sacrifice their lives for their country and nation.

During the First Sino-Japanese War, a considerable number of naval and army soldiers died in battle.

In Li Jingyuan's view, the Beiyang Army still had hope.

In order to achieve his goal, he also wanted to join in and use his own strength to change the Beiyang Army, and even the entire Beiyang Group, and even the whole country and nation!

"Third Young Master, you've passed! Congratulations, Third Young Master, you've become a successful candidate in the imperial examination!"

The butler's voice rang out from outside.

Li Jingyuan immediately opened the door.

"Uncle Zhang? You really passed?" Although Li Jingyuan was very confident that he would pass the imperial examination this time, he still wanted to confirm it.

"Indeed, you've passed the high school entrance exam. Congratulations, Third Young Master!" The butler's face was full of smiles.

"Thank you, Uncle Zhang!" Li Jingyuan was also very happy.

  

In this era, becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations) was not an easy achievement.

After becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination), one can participate in the following year's metropolitan examination. If one passes the metropolitan examination, one can then participate in the palace examination.

Even if you fail the imperial examination, you can still become an official directly.

The Li family prides itself on its scholarly tradition, and the fact that the Li family produced a scholar who passed the imperial examination is a fitting tribute to the Li family.

In other words, whether or not one holds official rank or not, the weight of their words is different.

"Third Young Master, the Master wants you to see him immediately!" the butler continued.

"Okay, I'll go right away!" Li Jingyuan nodded.

Afterwards, Li Jingyuan went to the front hall and met Li Hongzhang and Li Jingshu.

"Greetings, Father!" Li Jingyuan bowed respectfully.

"Third son, you've really exceeded my expectations this time. I never thought you'd pass the provincial examination on your first try. Most importantly, you're only eighteen. Now, prepare well and take the metropolitan examination with your second brother next year!" Li Hongzhang looked at his third son, whom he had previously considered unruly, and felt a great sense of satisfaction.

"Yes, Third Brother! Next year, we brothers will take the imperial examination together. If we can both pass, it will be quite a story!" Li Jingshu chimed in.

Li Hongzhang shared the same view.

If both sons take the provincial examination together and pass, and even manage to participate in the palace examination together, then the Li family will be truly honored.

Even though he was the Governor-General of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang, this was an unparalleled honor!

Hoping one's son will become a dragon is the wish of almost every father.

But Li Jingyuan didn't think that way at all.

He had no desire to take the imperial examinations again.

He's simply not cut out for studying! Or rather, he has no desire to delve into the Four Books and Five Classics, nor does he want to write those long and tedious essays!

There was even a reason why he was able to pass the imperial examination this time.

In his previous life, he had seen the exam questions for this year's Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination online, which was the fourteenth year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign.

Therefore, I specifically consulted Li Jingshu and Li Hongzhang before the exam.

Li Jingshu was an avid reader, having practically worn out the Four Books and Five Classics. He had already passed the imperial examination and become a Juren two years prior.

While Li Hongzhang was somewhat greedy, his personal abilities were undeniable. In particular, he was a master of Confucianism.

Li Jingyuan directly asked the two about the exam questions for this year's provincial examination.

Based on the answers given by the two, passing this provincial examination would naturally be very easy.

For example, the first question in this provincial examination came from "The Great Learning." Zhu Xi added in his commentary: "Therefore, when teaching the Great Learning, one must enable students to explore all things in the world, without failing to investigate them further based on their known principles, in order to reach their ultimate understanding."

The second question comes from the Analects of Confucius, Yong Ye: "If Qi changes, it will become like Lu; if Lu changes, it will become like the Way."

The third question comes from Mencius, Book 15, Part 2: "To begin with order is the work of wisdom; to finish with order is the work of sage."

If Li Jingyuan were to take the exam based on his own abilities, he would have no chance of passing.

Therefore, Li Jingyuan naturally had no interest in taking the imperial examination.

If I were to actually take the test, wouldn't that expose my lack of knowledge?

"Father, I don't want to take the imperial examination anymore!" Li Jingyuan said.

The smiles on Li Hongzhang and Li Jingshu's faces froze instantly.

The entire room fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"What...what did you say?" Li Hongzhang asked with a dark face.

"Father, I don't want to take the imperial examination, I want to join the army!" Li Jingyuan knew that he absolutely could not back down at this time, so he had no choice but to answer with a stiff upper lip.

"You unfilial son...you unfilial son! Are you trying to drive this old man to his death?" Li Hongzhang was furious.

Although Li Hongzhang's rise to power began with the formation of the Huai Army.

But deep down, Li Hongzhang also looked down on soldiers and still considered himself a scholar.

Li Jingyuan passed the imperial examination and became a Juren, but he did not want to continue taking the imperial examinations. Instead, he wanted to join the army, which Li Hongzhang considered to be utterly rebellious!

"Father, please calm down. My third brother is confused. Let me persuade him properly, and I'm sure I can change his mind!" Li Jingshu quickly advised.

"Third brother, aren't you going to apologize to Father? Tell him you will definitely take the imperial examination next year!"

At the same time, Li Jingshu also gave Li Jingyuan a meaningful look.

Li Hongzhang is currently furious, and if he gets angry, Li Jingyuan will be the one who suffers.