Read Novel Full Chapter 793 - 388: One Must Always Be Wary of Others
Chapter 793: Chapter 388: One Must Always Be Wary of Others
After Grain Rain, the triennial imperial examination began.
Although the emperor didn’t assign Zhao Yao any duties related to the examination, he still accompanied Prince Chu to the Imperial Examination Hall to invigilate. However, he was a very lazy invigilator, wandering around the hall for a short while before leaving.
On the third day of the examination, Zhao Yao took a stroll around the Imperial Examination Hall with Prince Chu, pretended to invigilate for a while, and then left. Once he was out, he turned around and went to find Lian Fang.
Zhao Yao, this tenth prince, idled away his time every day after the morning court sessions, wandering around aimlessly. He would visit He Lianfang every day to sit and chat with him.
The steward of He Lianfang’s residence saw Zhao Yao and quickly brought out some freshly cooked zongzi, Zhao Yao’s favorite meat zongzi. Although the Dragon Boat Festival was still some time away, many households had already started eating zongzi in advance.
While eating zongzi, Zhao Yao complained about this year’s imperial examination.
"Once again, there hasn’t been a single student from Lingnan participating in the examination."
"As far as I know, Lingnan has yet to produce a single Scholar. Let alone an accomplished Scholar, even regular students are few and far between in Lingnan. From this, you can tell just how poor the educational situation is there. Without any Scholars, how could anyone come to the capital for the exam?"
"Shouldn’t the criminal records of those exiled in the previous dynasty be dismissed by now? Moreover, many people were unjustly treated, like the Lin Family. I think if the Lin Family were to participate in the examinations, several members would surely succeed." In Lingnan, the scarcity of successful Scholars is partly due to the poor education and partly because there are not many scholars.
The lack of scholars in Lingnan is primarily for two reasons. The first reason is that the people there are quite poor and cannot afford education. The second reason is that some scholars are not eligible to participate in the examinations.
Those who cannot participate in the examinations are mostly descendants of criminals. According to the laws of the Great Zhou, they are prohibited from participating in the examinations for generations.
"Why don’t you talk to your father about it? What’s the use of telling me?"
Zhao Yao would like to mention this to the emperor, but dealing with this issue is complicated and would certainly face opposition from the court officials.
"Father is too lazy to deal with it."
"Since you know that, why bring it up at all?"
"When I go to Lingnan, I’ll organize an examination myself without identity restrictions, allowing any scholar to participate."
He Lianfang nodded, agreeing, "That could work."
"However, as I was saying, the educational situation in Lingnan is just atrocious." Zhao Yao sighed, "I estimate that eighty or ninety percent of the population are illiterate."
"It’s understandable, considering it’s a barbaric land." He Lianfang added, "A lot of other ethnic groups live there, they have their own languages, even their own scripts, and they disdain learning the Central Plains script."
"Right, there are many ethnic minorities." Zhao Yao said with some annoyance, "Most of these local ethnic minorities don’t speak the official language of the Great Zhou, nor do they understand it, let alone read the script. Great, when I get to Lingnan, I also need to popularize the official language, making them learn it."
"The languages of the minority groups in Lingnan are vastly different from the official language."
Zhao Yao asked, "How many ethnic minorities are there in Lingnan?"
"More than ten, I’d say."
"I haven’t even gone yet, and I already feel the task is daunting." Zhao Yao was getting more and more troubled, so he switched the subject to rubber trees. "How are the rubber trees transplanted from Siam and Lusong doing? Are they surviving?"
"Most of them have survived."
"That’s good. Have them keep transplanting more and strive to cultivate a rubber tree plantation in Lingnan as soon as possible." With rubber trees, they could produce rubber, and with rubber, they could make more things. "How about the fruit trees transplanted from Lusong, is the survival rate high?"
"Most of them have died, only a few have survived, but the fruiting is not very promising."
"Once they completely adapt to Lingnan’s land and climate, they should bear a lot of fruit." Zhao Yao asked again, "How about those spice trees?"
He Lianfang shook his head and said, "Similar to the fruit trees."
"When I arrive, I’ll designate a mountain or an area specifically for a spice tree garden." Years ago, he had his second uncle send people to Annan and those countries to obtain spices, which sold exceedingly well in the Great Zhou and many Western Regions countries. The noble families, scholars, and wealthy individuals of the Great Zhou all loved spices. But previously, the spices they had access to were limited. Now, with over a hundred types transported from Annan and those countries, there are enough for these people to use.