Chapter 30

After more than two hundred years, the officialdom of the Great Ming Dynasty had been enveloped by a vast and intricate web, where everyone was connected through ties of hometown, school, kinship, old acquaintances, and teacher-student relationships. Naturally, they were divided into "insiders" and "outsiders."

Before knowing that Zhang Ke's teacher was Hong Fu, Wang Huazhen had merely admired him, finding the young man quite clever. But upon hearing that his teacher was Hong Fu, Wang Huazhen beamed with joy, excitedly holding Zhang Ke's hand as if he were his own junior.

Of course, not everyone received such treatment; one had to earn it through genuine ability. Without these connections, people would simply not include you in their circle.

Wang Huazhen, in high spirits, led Zhang Ke to the temporary residence. As soon as they sat down, a servant girl served them tea.

"Yongzhen, this is a temporary residence in the horse market, so it's a bit cramped and simple. Please bear with it!"

Zhang Ke, though aware of the connection, understood that relationships needed to be cultivated gradually. If he became too presumptuous, he would immediately be blacklisted. Therefore, he was even more respectful and cautious.

"Sir, I have endured hardships since childhood. On the way to Guangning, I slept outdoors. Being here feels like a dream!"

"Ha ha ha, it's good for young people to endure hardships. I, too, studied hard to become an official. What books have you read?"

"In the past two years, I only learned to read and write. Later, my teacher taught me the Four Books and Five Classics. He then had me read history books, Han prose, and Tang literature."

Wang Huazhen nodded. "Didn't he teach you the eight-part essay?"

"He didn't have time to teach it. My teacher went to the capital at the beginning of the year, leaving behind several dozen essays for me to study. I am dull-witted and failed the county examination, failing to live up to my teacher's expectations."

"Ha ha ha, Yongzhen, you seem quite shrewd in handling affairs, but you are quite inexperienced in the imperial examinations." Wang Huazhen smiled. "People think the eight-part essay is too rigid and dull, producing bookworms. But that's not true. Look at all the officials in the court; they are all well-versed and shrewd."

Zhang Ke had not expected Wang Huazhen to discuss the imperial examinations. He didn't know the man's preferences and dared not say much, only listening obediently.

"Passing the scholar examination might not be difficult. You just need to thoroughly study a few hundred essays, understand the examiners' preferences, and cater to them."

As a literati who rose through the imperial examinations, Wang Huazhen was actually deconstructing the system, which was quite out of character. However, since he admired Zhang Ke, he decided to give him a clear guidance and help the younger man, also earning his gratitude.

Wang Huazhen, seeing Zhang Ke in deep thought, smiled. "Do you disagree that passing the scholar examination is easy?"

"Of course not. I just feel that I am not smart enough to find the right path!"

"Ha ha ha, it's just a matter of understanding the key points of the examination. Your teacher will teach you when he returns. What I want to tell you is that while taking shortcuts might help you pass the scholar or even the provincial examination, it won't get you a top imperial degree. In our Great Ming Dynasty, every top imperial scholar is among the most intelligent in the land. To stand out among them, your essays must be eloquent, logical, and grand. These qualities cannot be achieved by merely studying the Four Books and Five Classics. You must base your arguments on the teachings of Song and Yuan scholars and emulate the grand style of Han and Tang literature. The Four Books and Five Classics were written in the pre-Qin era, so to write well, you must use historical allusions and learn to apply ancient wisdom to modern times."

Wang Huazhen, after a long speech, smiled and looked at Zhang Ke. "Do you now understand why your teacher had you read history and literature?"

"I understand. My teacher wanted me to build a solid foundation. The eight-part essay is just a form. Being confined to it makes it hard to succeed. Only by having a wealth of knowledge can one write good essays!"

"Very well, very well!" Wang Huazhen's face suddenly turned serious, and he pointed at Zhang Ke, scolding him, "Yongzhen, your teacher has high hopes for you, but why have you fallen so low? I heard you came to the horse market to sell goods. Don't you understand that scholars must uphold their integrity? Once tainted by the stench of money, even if you pass the examination later, this will affect your future!"

Zhang Ke could tell that Wang Huazhen was genuinely concerned. If he had been transported back a few decades, he might have diligently studied for the imperial examinations. But with the country changing hands in just twenty years, he wondered if all his efforts would be for the benefit of the Tartars!

He couldn't say this to Wang Huazhen, so he bowed and said, "Sir, I have my reasons."

"Speak!"

"Sir, I failed the examination and fell ill. My mother borrowed twenty taels of silver to treat me. The New Year is approaching, and the creditors are demanding repayment. I had no choice but to come to the horse market in Guangning to earn some silver to pay off the debt."

"Ah! I see!" Wang Huazhen nodded. "I misunderstood you. Have you earned money in Guangning?"

"Sir, I earned seventy taels of silver."

"Ha ha ha, you are as shrewd as Sun Wukong. You won't fail to earn money!" Wang Huazhen smiled. "However, commerce is a minor path. You might get too involved. Since your family is in need, why don't you work as a clerk under me? You can help organize documents and write official letters. I will also teach you the eight-part essay, and we can wait for the court to select officials."

Wang Huazhen continued, "Yongzhen, to be honest, Liaodong is in a mess, and my position as a counselor is not easy. You must help me!"

"Sir!" Zhang Ke stood up hurriedly. "Sir, it is my honor to serve you. However, I have something important to report."

"Speak, we don't need to be formal."

To achieve his goals, Zhang Ke needed a patron, and Wang Huazhen was the best choice. However, the path Wang Huazhen planned was entirely different from what Zhang Ke had in mind, and he needed to persuade him.

"Sir, before coming to Guangning, I intended to take the imperial examinations to bring glory to my family and serve the country. But after arriving in Guangning, I realized it was self-deception! The Jurchens are fierce and will surely invade Liaodong after consolidating their territory. The Mongols are also causing trouble, and our Great Ming is in a difficult position in Liaodong. Liaodong is a vital arm of the capital, and any trouble there will shake the capital, and the capital's unrest will shake the entire country! To be frank, this crisis is far more dangerous than the three major campaigns. Unfortunately, our officials and military lack the spirit of the past, and the situation in Liaodong is likely to deteriorate."

As Zhang Ke spoke, he recalled the familiar history, feeling particularly indignant.

"Sir, as a native of Liaodong, my father fought in Korea, killing many Japanese and upholding the glory of the Great Ming. I also have an older brother who joined the army two years ago and is still serving in Liaoyang. I want to join the military, wear armor, and swear to defend our land, not allowing the Tartars to touch it!"

Wang Huazhen, listening to Zhang Ke, was deeply moved. Indeed, Liaodong was in dire straits, and they needed young men like Zhang Ke to fight on the front lines. However, ...

"Yongzhen, the paths of literature and military are different. In our Great Ming, scholars are esteemed, and soldiers are looked down upon. If you become a soldier, won't it affect your future?"

"Sir, I am not yet twenty. Even if I serve in the military for five or ten years, I can still study and advance. Once Liaodong is pacified, I will return to civilian life."

Wang Huazhen shook his head with a bitter smile. "I fear you won't have that choice in the future!"

"In short, I cannot stand by and watch the land soaked with my ancestors' blood fall into the hands of the Tartars. I beg you to help me." Zhang Ke knelt before Wang Huazhen.

Wang Huazhen could see that the young man was very determined and unlikely to change his mind easily.

However, it would be a waste to send such a promising young man to the military, where he might become a coarse soldier. He paced back and forth, then suddenly had an idea.

"Yongzhen, stand up. I have a problem. If you can help me solve it, I will help you."

"Sir, please tell me!" Zhang Ke asked excitedly.

"Ha ha ha, don't be too excited. This incident has been resolved, but I killed a Han person, and the censors in the court will see it as me indulging the Tartars. Moreover, how should we handle the frequent troubles caused by the Mongols in the future?"

Wang Huazhen's words revealed his dilemma. The Great Ming was strong on the outside but weak on the inside, and the censors were detached from reality. Those who did the work were like rats in a wind box, afraid of everything.

Zhang Ke's mind raced, and he suddenly laughed. "Sir, I will try to solve this dilemma. The court needs to save face and maintain the dignity of the Great Ming. However, you don't have enough power to subdue the Mongols, so you must win them over with virtue. But if you treat them well, it will invite criticism, right?"

"Yongzhen is right. Whether to advance or retreat, it's a lose-lose situation. How can I handle it properly?"

"Ha ha ha, I have eight words: treat the Mongols leniently and generously, treat the Han people strictly and harshly."

"What do you mean?"

"Sir, when the Mongols cause trouble, they must be punished without exception to instill fear. For Han merchants, be lenient, but if they commit serious crimes, execute them as a warning, and do it in front of the Mongols to set an example."

Wang Huazhen carefully considered Zhang Ke's words, pacing back and forth. Suddenly, he had an epiphany and understood Zhang Ke's idea.

In essence, it was a trick of giving more in the morning and less in the evening. The Mongols would be punished leniently when they committed crimes, making them respect and fear you. The Han people, on the other hand, would be treated strictly, with minor offenses overlooked but severe punishments for major crimes.

This approach would appear harsh on the Han people but actually benefit them, as they had the advantage in trade and intellect. As long as they didn't overstep, they wouldn't get into trouble. It also gave the Mongols a reason to accept the situation, as you had executed people, so what more could they ask for? Even if the matter reached the court, Wang Huazhen would be seen as having done his duty.

Zhang Ke, though young, had deeper and more practical ideas than many seasoned officials, hitting the core of the issue and aligning with Wang Huazhen's intentions.

"Yongzhen, based on your idea, I really want to keep you by my side. However, since I promised to let you join the military, I won't go back on my word. Tell me where you want to go, and I will help you."

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