Zhao Xu entered the city through Taiping Gate. The palace was more than a mile ahead, but he did not enter through Bei'an Gate.

To get to the front hall, one had to go around the harem, so Zhao Xu preferred to go around from the outside.

He rode his own mule around the imperial city for a short half time and came to Xi'an Gate. He took his waist badge, checked and registered, entered the imperial city, walked all the way, and went through another inspection at Xihua Gate before entering the palace.

city.

After being led through several gates, Zhao Xu finally arrived at the East Pavilion on the left side of Fengtian Gate, which was connected to several consecutive verandas south of Zuoshun Gate.

After moving to the new palace, Zhu Yuanzhang would work in the East Pavilion after his daily court meetings.

While waiting, looking back at the journey just now, Zhao Xu just felt that the two or three miles from Xi'an Gate to Dongge, if his own petty officials were to walk... the scene would be unimaginable.

So there are still some concerns.

Zhao Xu understood that the futures of himself and Zuo Qi were already tied to his own junior officials. If the junior officials met with His Majesty the Emperor and faced such difficulties, what would they do?

Or, given His Majesty's regard for minor officials, will he be able to receive some special grace from not having to walk in the future?

Randomly thinking, this time only after waiting for less than a cup of tea, Zhao Xu was brought into the pavilion, and happened to pass by Li Shanchang and others who were about to leave.

Zhao Xu knew Li Shanchang. Faced with the scrutiny from the Prime Minister Zuo and his party, he just stopped and nodded, and did not talk casually.

I can feel that Duke Xuan Guo should know me.

Zhu Yuanzhang had just discussed with several provincial ministers the matter of setting up a national post station system.

The official draft will be implemented soon.

Zhu Yuanzhang had a deep memory of the Battle of Poyang Lake, which determined the situation in Jiangnan.

Chen Youliang surrounded Hongdu on April 23rd. He didn't receive the news until June 25th. It was a full two months later. If it hadn't been for it... he would have almost lost Jiangxi.

In fact, because he insisted on aiding King Xiao Ming from the north at that time, Yingtian was empty due to the army's expedition. If Chen Youliang defeated Hongdu and went down the river, he could not imagine what the result would be.

Fortunately, with the blessing of God and the appearance of his ancestors, he successfully defeated Chen Youliang and became the overlord of Jiangnan, but he did not forget to reflect on it afterwards.

The biggest mistake was not listening to Liu Ji's advice and insisting on aiding King Xiao Ming from the north. Secondly, it was the importance of the post system for transmitting messages.

Before the founding of the People's Republic of China, Zhu Yuanzhang had already done a lot for this. In the first month after taking the throne, he prioritized various tasks, and he still prioritized the construction of a complete post station system.

After Zhao Xu saluted here, Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head from the document in front of him, and habitually stepped back to the left and right again. When he saw the wooden box in Zhao Xu's hand, he remembered it and said, "This is that kind of pen. Bring it to me to see."

Zhao Xu respectfully presented the wooden box.

Zhu Yuanzhang quickly laid out various stationery, skipping the pens and measuring rulers first, and the charcoal pencils had been sharpened. He grabbed one according to the posture of holding the brush, and wrote "Shui Ma Station" casually on a piece of white paper.

'Three words, I immediately shook my head: "What's this...it's not easy to use, the brush tip is too thin, and it's still hard."

Zhao Xu carefully looked up and reminded: "My lord, this is not how you hold this charcoal pencil."

Zhu Yuanzhang signaled: "You come and write for me."

Zhao Xu took a few steps forward and took the pen and paper from Zhu Yuanzhang at the other end of the desk. He followed the pen-holding posture of a small official. When he saw the words "Water Horse Station", he hesitated a little and wrote it again.

Then he said softly: "Your Majesty, there is also a pen, and the writing method is the same."

As he said this, he saw Lao Zhu hand over the pen, took off the cap of the pen, and wrote the words "Shui Ma Station". Then he carefully pushed the pen and paper in the direction of Lao Zhu, and took the initiative to step back.

After changing the pen holding position, Lao Zhu started writing again, and it turned out to be much smoother. He changed the pen again and felt better. He fell in love with this new stationery almost instantly and planned to use it frequently in the future.

In just a moment, a blank page was filled with words written by Lao Zhu.

Then he picked up the set of measuring rulers, a one-foot-long ruler, two triangle rulers, and a semicircle angle ruler. He changed a piece of paper and quickly used charcoal pens and pens to draw many long and long drawings.

It's a precise line.

After trying it out like this, Lao Zhu continued to play and asked about various details.

Asked about the skill of making a cup of tea, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "According to you, this graphite is a common mineral deposit. It can be made into this charcoal by mixing it with clay, firing it, and sticking it into fine wood?"

Zhao Xu said respectfully: "Exactly."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked down at the two marks on the white paper again and said: "These two pens are indeed more convenient than the brush and can save a lot of paper. But the method of making the pen is too complicated and the ink is also a problem. But this charcoal pen, if it is really like

What you said can be generalized. I have recently asked Yousi to re-draw the matter of opening schools in counties, counties and townships across the country, and I plan to hold an imperial examination this fall. From ancient times to the present, if children from poor families want to go to school, only this ink, paper and inkstone will not work.

It’s a small expense, but if this charcoal pen can be popularized, it can benefit students all over the world.”

As Lao Zhu talked, he was no longer consulting Zhao Xu, but quickly made up his mind.

Regarding the opening of schools across the country and the holding of imperial examinations this fall, these two things were still influenced by Zhu Yuan to some extent.

When Zhu Yuanzhang conquered Yingtian, he soon began to encourage the establishment of schools. Every time he expanded to another place over the years, he never forgot this matter. However, Lao Zhu's initial consideration was just to cultivate talents for himself and educate the people.

Respect etiquette and obey the law.

In addition to his current thoughts, talent selection and education, Zhu Yuanzhang has not forgotten what Zhu Yuan said at that time. One of the reasons for Qin's rapid demise was that the people lost their 'path to ascend'.

There were two ‘rising channels’ discussed at that time.

The first is military merit, and the second is imperial examination.

At present, the Ming Dynasty's army is fighting in all directions. If you want to join the army to find a wife and a son, there are many opportunities, but the battle will eventually be over.

Therefore, in Lao Zhu's view, the imperial examination is the long-term solution.

Because of Zhu Yuan's half-coverage, Lao Zhu actually didn't fully understand the truth. He only knew that it was some knowledge related to "distribution" in "Economic Studies".

However, this did not delay Lao Zhu from implementing it.

Just like some of the innovations he has recently planned based on the required knowledge for scholars.

Zhu Yuanzhang was always a person who would do whatever he thought of and had super strong execution ability. Since it is a rare principle, of course he should try his best to practice it. Even if there are some problems in the future, he would just modify or abolish it.

Zhao Xu also felt that Zhu Yuanzhang was no longer asking him, not to mention that he was only barely literate and did not dare to give any advice to His Majesty the Emperor rashly.

Zhu Yuanzhang made up his mind and asked a few more questions about the four-piece set of measuring rulers. He instinctively felt that there might be some knowledge in it.

It's a pity that Zhu Yuan didn't explain anything about this matter.

Seeing Zhao Xu's expression of having nothing to say, Zhu Yuanzhang roughly understood and laughed and cursed in a low voice without forcing it.

After all, I am not willing to give in.

After thinking about it, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Now that the new dynasty has begun, all the officials will be rewarded. When I saw you, I just remembered that I would like to give Zhu Yuan a promotion and become a fourth-grade Hanlin Lecturer. Haha. , he thought I gave him a small official position at the beginning, so now I am making up for it. Hmm... Also, the crown prince’s official position will be announced tomorrow, I will ask people to discuss it later, and let him hold the position as well. "

Now, if you present two pens, you will get a higher rank?

Zhao Xu only felt that it was a little unreal, but he knelt down hurriedly: "I would like to thank the Lord for you."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand: "Get up, I would like Zhu Yuan to come and say thank you in person." After saying this, Lao Zhu quickly continued: "This official is not free, some recent things, you... that's all, what do you know? I'll ask someone to go back with you and ask him to help me ask."

Zhu Yuanzhang's idea is very simple.

Zhu Yuan, don't you want to live in seclusion? Then you can hide yourself. It doesn't matter if you don't come ashore when the emperor calls you, but I can't refuse if I ask someone to come to your door and ask you something.

Lao Zhu has indeed accumulated a lot of problems recently.

For example, for the book on mathematics compiled by the Hanlin Academy, Lao Zhu felt that Zhu Yuan would definitely be able to give some opinions, after all, he was the one who listed the book list. Another example is the inn system that will be implemented recently. It has just been discussed, and even though it has already been discussed, In order to improve it, perhaps Zhu Yuan can help him plan and give him some good ideas.

There is also the imperial examination in the autumn period.

This involves the "ascending channel". Thinking about Qin's imminent demise, we can't be careless at all.

Furthermore, the manuscript on the method of ‘production’ also needs to be urged.

Now that I have recovered from my illness, I have to write more quickly.

This is both a fountain pen and a charcoal pen. It writes so fast, not to mention that I specially rewarded you with a hundred large pieces of paper!

Anyway, I’ve given you a promotion and a part-time job, so I can give you some tips and tricks, isn’t that too much?

Zhu Yuanzhang said that he was about to call his attendants, but then he realized that he still didn't want the foreign officials to come into contact with Zhu Yuan. After all, these people... had been to Houhu. Apart from him, who knew who else would be informed?

After some consideration, Lao Zhu sent people to the harem and summoned an eunuch, who was none other than the current emissary, Ling He Shou.

Zhu Yuanzhang remembered that he had asked He Shou to serve Zhu Yuan.

It's quite an origin.

When He Shou arrived, Lao Zhu made such an explanation and sent the two of them to Houhu.

Zhu Yuan saw Zhao Xu off and took a nap. When Zhao Xu returned with He Shou, he had not yet woken up. Remember there is a truth, if you want to grow taller, sleep is very important.

Zhu Yuan doesn't want to be reborn, but he wants to leave his name in history with his height of 1.4 meters.

People in the future will talk about it.

The first thing that comes to mind is, oh, so and so, 1.4 meters tall!

That's so sad.

After being woken up by the freehand call in a daze, Zhu Yuan got dressed and got up, saw He Shou, and greeted him meticulously on the surface, but in fact Zhu Yuan still had the energy to wake up.

He Shou was a well-rounded talker. When he noticed Zhu Yuan's appearance, he was not in a hurry to talk about business, but started to talk about family matters.

First of all, congratulations to Zhu Yuan for his promotion again. He is now a fourth-grade Hanlin Lecturer and is already at the same level as Zhu Sheng and Zhu Lao Hanlin, who was a Jinshi in the Yuan Dynasty.

Although he is on the same level as the internal eunuch Jian Ling, who is also a fourth-grade official, He Shou dare not compare at all. Lao Zhu has no tendency to reuse eunuchs yet, and He Shou knows very well that he is just an internal eunuch, and the two The differences are huge.

Then he also talked about some recent events in the court.

For example, Liu Ji resigned.
To be continued...