Chapter 131 Kaifeng Prefecture
Therefore, even if he saw some people's articles vaguely proposing reforms, he did not think that these people really wanted to reform.
There is never a shortage of smart people in the world, but who knows whether the articles written by these people are deliberate.
In history, when Wang Anshi carried out reforms, many of those who supported him did so for their own future, not to mention these students who had not yet entered officialdom.
However, Zhao Xing did not completely deny it. Anyway, according to his father's wishes, he could freely arrange and select the talents selected in this imperial examination.
Of course, it also has to comply with the rules.
Generally speaking, the highest official position for newly-appointed Jinshi is the sixth-rank Hanlin editor.
Among the rest, a few were of the seventh rank, and the rest were only of the eighth or ninth rank.
But it is enough for Zhao Xing.
There were more than 200 answer sheets. Even if he only read the policy papers, it would take him at least a day or two to finish reading them.
Zhao Xing spent the whole morning randomly reading a few dozen copies.
"Just list the names according to the list you have chosen." Zhao Xing ordered.
"Yes!" Hai Wenyou responded.
At noon, Zhao Xing had his lunch here. After lunch and a rest, Hai Wenyou brought him the list with the names covered.
Zhao Xing took a look and saw that there were 25 people in the first class, 52 people in the second class, and the rest were all in the third class.
However, this is only the ranking in the preliminary examination, and the final ranking will depend on the results of the palace examination.
The first class in the Song Dynasty was different from that in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, when there were only three people in the first class.
But in the Song Dynasty, the first class usually consisted of a dozen or twenty people, and only the top two would be awarded the title of No. 1 and No. 2.
The third place will be chosen based on appearance, and the most beautiful one will be selected from the first place.
Yes, it is the most beautiful.
In ancient times, when praising a man for his good looks, the word "beautiful" was also used. Otherwise, there would be no such thing as a beautiful man.
Back then, the old man of the Sheng family was a top scholar in the imperial examination, otherwise old lady Sheng would not have fallen in love with him at first sight and insisted on marrying him despite her parents’ opposition.
This is getting off topic. Zhao Xing saw Sheng Changbai's name at ninth place on the list.
Qi Heng ranked 26th in the second class.
Zhao Xing couldn't remember what position Sheng Changbai was originally ranked, but ninth in the first class was a very high ranking even in the imperial examination.
As for Qi Heng, he didn't pass the exam at all in the original drama.
Zhao Xing was very satisfied with their performance.
Although he could do something about it, it would be best if the two of them could pass the exam based on their real abilities and knowledge.
"Just report this to my father. I will leave first." Zhao Xing said.
"Your Highness, I respectfully bid you farewell!" Hai Wenyou bowed.
…………
After returning to the Eastern Palace, Zhao Xing asked someone to find Yin Hanzhang.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you." Yin Hanzhang said with his luggage.
Zhao Xing waved his hand and said, "How is the investigation going on for the things I asked you to investigate?"
"Your Highness, I have almost finished the investigation. I will organize it and send it to Your Highness tomorrow." Yin Hanzhang said.
"Tell me the general situation first." Zhao Xing said.
"Yes!" Yin Hanzhang pondered for a while and said, "Kaifeng Prefecture governs 16 counties, and less than 20% of the farmland is in the hands of the people..."
Zhao Xing showed no expression when he heard this. Bianjing was the capital city, full of nobles and dignitaries. All of these families owned hundreds or thousands of acres of land.
Considering the imperial farms belonging to the royal family, it is normal that the common people do not have much land.
Through Yin Hanzhang's narration, Zhao Xing had a preliminary understanding of Kaifeng Prefecture.
In the vicinity of Bianjing and nearby counties, almost no ordinary people had land. However, in the counties further away, many people still had land.
The so-called less than 20% is also an average.
The area near Bianjing is less than 10%, while the farther county towns may have 30% to 40%.
After all, they are under the feet of the emperor. If there is a natural disaster, the imperial court will provide disaster relief quickly, and no one dares to do anything excessive under his nose.
Moreover, there are almost no hidden fields around Bian Jing, but there are some such cases in the more distant county towns.
"Have you got the evidence?" Zhao Xing asked.
Yin Hanzhang looked up at Zhao Xing and said with a lack of confidence: "We only have a part of the evidence."
"Okay, I don't mean to blame you, but you have to be careful. Also, don't just focus on hidden fields. All evidence can be collected from any family with hidden fields. In addition, in the counties under the jurisdiction of Kaifeng Prefecture, any officials who have corrupt officials can also be collected evidence. The more evidence, the better." Zhao Xing said.
After all, Bianjing is the capital of the emperor, and Yin Hanzhang has no official background now, so many things are not easy to investigate, and Zhao Xing will not blame him blindly.
"Yes, I understand." Yin Hanzhang breathed a sigh of relief.
"But I don't want to see the situation of fabricating evidence, do you understand?" Zhao Xing said lightly.
This kind of intelligence agency is a double-edged sword. It is like his eyes, which can let him know the situation in the world. But it can also blind his eyes and let him see what they want him to see.
"I understand!" Yin Hanzhang was startled and responded respectfully.
As the saying goes, staying at home nourishes the body, while moving around nourishes the qi.
Although Zhao Xing usually had a gentle smile on his face, as the crown prince, he had developed some dignity over the years.
Although Zhao Xing's tone was calm just now, Yin Hanzhang could sense something different in his words.
You must never make the mistake of fabricating evidence, otherwise you will be doomed.
"Go ahead." Zhao Xing waved his hand.
"I'm leaving now!" Yin Hanzhang bowed and walked out.
Zhao Xing pondered for a while, dealt with the remaining ropes, and had them sent to the palace.
He stood up and stretched, then looked at the sky, it was already evening, so he went to Yu Yanran's yard.
Although Zhao Xing asked the Yu family to send Yu Yanran's maid, the Yu family only sent an old nanny and a few maids who served Yu Yanran personally.
Zhao Xing also asked Nanny Feng to arrange some palace maids to come over.
At this time, there were many palace maids busy in the yard. When they saw Zhao Xing coming, they were about to salute, but were stopped by Sanshui.
Zhao Xing came all the way to Yu Yanran's room. Yu Yanran was sitting on the couch doing needlework. When she saw Zhao Xing coming in, she quickly put down the needlework in her hand, stood up and saluted, saying, "Your Highness, I greet you!"
Zhao Xing waved his hand and asked Mother Xu and the others to leave. Sanshui also left, closed the door, and stood guard at the door.
Zhao Xing pulled Yu Yanran to sit in front of the couch, took a look at the half-finished clothes, and said with a smile: "Made for me?"
"Yes." Yu Yanran nodded and smiled, "Now the weather is getting hotter and hotter, I will make two thin shirts for Your Highness."
"I think it's better than the ones made by the palace embroiderers. She is really clever and skillful."
Zhao Xing picked it up, looked at it, put it down and praised it.
"I'm just doing it casually. I hope Your Highness doesn't mind." Yu Yanran said with a smile.
"How could I dislike it?" Zhao Xing grabbed Yu Yanran's hand and said, "But just do it, don't tire yourself out."
"Yeah." Yu Yanran felt sweet inside and smiled, "I really like needlework. It's not tiring."
"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded slightly and said, "I will be busy in a while. I will take you out to play tomorrow."
Yu Yanran's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she said, "Where are you taking me, Your Highness?"
"Let's go boating on the Bian River and visit the scenery along the river." Zhao Xing said.
(End of this chapter)