After eight days, all eight subjects were completed, and the national examination, which was the first time in Chinese history, finally came to a perfect conclusion.

Although the state examination of Chu State was somewhat similar in form to that of later generations, it had essential differences. Later generations overly praised Confucianism, as well as the classics, history, and collections of Confucianism, and emphasized form rather than practicality, while the state examination of Chu State had no obvious tendency. For example, Legalism, military strategist, Confucianism, etc., all had to be evaluated, and they were less formal and practical.

The imperial examinations in history only focus on whether the scholars' literary talent is outstanding, whether the writing is smooth, whether the calligraphy is beautiful, whether the intention is lofty, etc. However, the national examinations of Chu State are not like this at all. For example, the only assessment criterion for the Legalists is whether the students have the ability to borrow them through Legalists to solve practical problems.

As a time traveler, Xiang Zhuang hopes to put a pragmatic mark on the national examination of Chu through his own efforts. Xiang Zhuang hopes that scholars in the world can understand that academic controversy is good, but no theory is perfect. Even the Legalists cannot solve all problems. Only practicality is the first priority!

Once this pragmatic imprint is stamped, the state examination of Chu will basically not go astray like the imperial examination. Most of the selected scholars will grow into capable officials with practical spirit, rather than just writing a few beautiful calligraphy, and only talking big and low-key people.

This national examination, 206 students were finally selected!

In order to demonstrate the spirit of "pragmatism" to the public, Xiang Zhuangming Bailixian announced the answer sheets of all seven subjects except for fencing and swordsmanship, and attached the examination of the examiner. In the examination of the examiner, he did not mention the pros and cons of each school, but only repeatedly reviewed how to use the theories of the various schools to solve practical problems.

Of course, some people are happy and some are worried, and the number of people is worried is far more than the happy people. However, this is impossible. The State of Chu cannot be enough to keep so many scholars who came to Wuzhong to take the exam, right? If this is the case, just feeding these scholars can become a heavy burden for the State of Chu.

Then, Xiangzhuang held a grand state banquet in the palace to entertain the shortlisted students. According to the provisions of the Scholars, farmers, industry and business departments, they awarded the titles of "commanders" on the spot. When the title list was awarded, it was fine for those students who were originally from aristocratic families and gentry, but all the poor children from farmers and businessmen were in trouble.

Next time, Xiang Zhuang summoned the ten best scholars in the palace alone, and Bi Shu's comments were the highlight of it. Because Bi Shu was the first in the national examination for the first time, Xiang Zhuang did not set up top scorers, second place, Tanhua and other gimmicks for the top three in the national examination, but the top spot is the first place, which is definitely worth treating differently.

The Palace of Chu, the study room.

Bishu paid a great worship to Xiang Zhuang according to the etiquette of his ministers in the Book of Documents. Seeing Bishu's respectful look, Xiang Zhuang couldn't help but nod in his heart. Facts proved that Bishu's arrogant and unruly previous disguise was all made. In essence, Bishu was still a very humble student.

What made Xiang Zhuang even more excited was that Bi Shu was able to accept Xiang Zhuang’s title and could also visit Xiang Zhuang according to the etiquette ceremony of his ministers to meet the king, which meant that he had entered the State of Chu.

The two of them gave a greeting, and Xiang Zhuang asked Bi Shu to take the seat with stern hands.

Bi Shu was not polite either, and swung his sleeves to sit opposite Xiangzhuang.

Xiang Zhuang pondered for a moment and asked, "Learn from the sword, you mentioned in "On the Chu Army" that you have abolished the new military service system and fully implemented the military garrison system. I feel that there is still an unfinished meaning in the text. Can you tell me in detail?"

"Dare you not obeying your order?" Bi Shu nodded happily, and then told him many matters about the military system.

When Xiangzhuang asked a few questions, Bi Shu would also answer one by one. The two of them discussed this for more than two hours. The palace maids came in several times to remind Xiangzhuang to have meals, but they were bombarded by Xiangzhuang. In the end, Ying Zhen brought the two palace maids with food boxes and carried some wine and food into the study room. Xiangzhuang and Bi Shu took some food.

Bi Shu put down the wine cup and sighed: "Good wine, this is truly nectar and jade liquid."

After talking about this meal, Bi Shu said curiously: "King, before coming to Jiangdong, I have traveled around the countries, but I have never tasted such a strong wine. I really don't know how this strong wine was brewed?"

"If you have the chance, I can take you to the winery workshop to open my eyes." Xiang Zhuang smiled slightly and said, "But now, we will continue to discuss some specific issues in the military system, such as exempting military households from land taxes. I think it is inappropriate because it conflicts with the new land tax method to be implemented."

Bi Shu nodded and said, "This is indeed a problem. Therefore, for the Great Chu, the most urgent task is not to abolish the new soldiers and implement the military garrison system, but to implement the new land tax method to fundamentally solve the dilemma of the lack of money and food in Chu. Otherwise, no matter how humble the king is, no matter how brave the Chu army is, he will never be able to sweep the world."

"You are reminding me." Xiang Zhuang nodded and said, "In the first law test paper, you wrote irrelevant hundreds of crosses on the back of the test paper. However, I found that these hundreds of crosses have a unique meaning. The article seems to explore the possibility of Jun Yaoyao and the calculating fu. Can you tell me in detail?"

Bi Shun said with a wry smile: "King, this minister really can't speak up."

"What, you can't say it?" Xiang Zhuang said in surprise, "Learn swords, what do you mean?"

Bi Shu stood up and bowed deeply to Xiang Zhuang first, then he said sincerely: "The king doesn't know that the hundred crosses were actually written by his senior brother Bai Mo. I am just plagiarizing him, which makes the king laugh."

"Your senior brother, Bai Mo?" Xiang Zhuang frowned and said, "It is also the descendant of Guigu?!"

Bi Shu bowed and replied, "The family master only teaches two disciples, namely Senior Brother Bai Mo and his ministers."

When Xiang Zhuang heard this, he was shocked and asked anxiously: "Learn swords, how about this Bai Mo be better than you?"

Bi Shu said without hesitation: "I only like military affairs and only learn military geniuses. Senior Brother Bai Mo is a master of all schools of thought and is skilled in everything. Therefore, Senior Brother Bai Mo's talent is far more talented than ministers!"

"Uh..." Xiang Zhuang was so choked that he couldn't speak for a long time.

After a long time, Xiang Zhuang calmed down and asked, "Learn swordsmanship, let me be here now?"

Bi Shu pondered for a moment and said, "King, a few months ago, I went down the mountain with Senior Brother Bai Mo at the same time. I traveled east, but Senior Brother Bai Mo went west. I think I am not in Liang State now, and Korea is here to Guanzhong."

"What? I'm in Guanzhong?!" Xiang Zhuang couldn't help but change his face slightly when he heard this. Bi Shu was so amazing. Bai Mo was even more powerful than Bi Shu. If he was allowed to enter Guanzhong and surrender to Liu Bang, that would be fine? Moreover, Bai Mo was very particular about various schools of thought, and was particularly versatile in the essence of reform. Once he was allowed to promote reform in Guanzhong, wouldn't it be a bad thing?

However, no matter how anxious she was, Xiang Zhuang did not dare to invite Bai Mo in front of Bi Shu. It is said that each generation of sect leader of Guigu Sect only accepts two disciples, Zongheng, and then puts them into the world to fight. The winner is the next generation of sect leader of Guigu Sect. Since Bi Shu has entered the Great Chu, it is impossible for Bai Mo to become a Chu again.

Bi Shu seemed to guess what Xiang Zhuang was thinking, and immediately said, "Your Majesty, why not write a letter to me and invite Senior Brother Bai Mo to Jiangdong to serve the Great Chu?"

"Huh?" Xiang Zhuang said in surprise, "Will the senior brother be willing to come after learning sword?"

Bi Shu straightened his face and said, "The king's demeanor is far superior to that of ordinary princes, and his courage and resoluteness are the best in the world. He is also rich in civil and military affairs and has a lot of talents. As long as the new law can be implemented smoothly, it will be a matter of time before he accumulates enough national strength and sweeps the world. Why does Senior Brother Bai Mo refuse to come?"

Xiang Zhuang said: "But you Guigu Gate are not, what..."

Bi Shu said: "King, that's just a rumor. There was no limit on the number of disciples from Guigu Sect in all dynasties, and there was no need to let the disciples choose the enemy camp and fight to decide the outcome. Sun Bin and Pang Juan also studied under Guiguzi, and did not end up in the end at the same time as the Great Wei?"

"That's true." Xiang Zhuang couldn't help but nodded and said yes.

When Sun Bin was invited by Pang Juan to join Wei, if Pang Juan had not been in a small manner and could not tolerate others, he would have designed to frame Sun Bin, how could Sun Bin pretend to be crazy and avoid Qi?

Xiang Zhuang said again: "In this way, you will have to learn swords."

Bi Shu said happily: "This is just a slight effort, so why bother with me?"

At that moment, Bi Shu grind ink and spread paper on the desk, and then wrote a letter. The letter mentioned Bi Shu's various encounters in Jiangdong, and it was a great thing to praise Xiang Zhuang. In the words, Xiang Zhuang was the only candidate for the common ruler of the world. Then Bai Mo came to Jiangdong as soon as possible to assist Xiang Zhuang in achieving the imperial hegemony.

Xianyang, Guanzhong, Prime Minister's Mansion.

Xiao He strode out of the gate of the Prime Minister's Mansion. Just as he was climbing the carriage, he suddenly heard a noise in his ears. When he turned his head to look, he saw dozens of people gathered at the corner of the street not far from the gate of the Prime Minister's Mansion. These people formed a circle and pointed in the middle. There seemed to be a vague quarrel in the crowd.

Xiao He immediately frowned. Someone gathered in front of the mansion of the dignified Prime Minister to cause trouble?

The clever sect official had already run forward quickly and in a short while, he figured out the whole story of the matter. It turned out that a scholar who was studying abroad had a conflict with the scoundrels. The scoundrels wanted to steal the scholar's sword, but the scoundrels refused to let him go, and the two started a fight in the street. In fact, the scoundrels did not take action, but the scoundrels were making trouble in the street.

Xiao He said angrily: "Why don't you knock that rogue away?"

The clerk at the school said with a pleasing voice: "Don't worry, the prime minister has been driven away."

As he spoke, a slender white-clothed handsome man had already walked towards Xiao He's carriage. The white-clothed handsome man was about thirty years old, holding a sword inlaid with colorful gems. His behavior was quite elegant. Xiao He couldn't help but squint his eyes when he saw it. With his eyesight, he could see at a glance that this young man was not simple.

!.
Chapter completed!