Chapter 269: Martial Arts Examination
Luo Yi looked at them and said, "The military examination also requires questions on strategy and military books and theories."

At that moment, most of the people stopped thinking. It was a great achievement for them to be able to write their own names, as there were only a few words in the military books that they could recognize.

"Hey, we can still fight without reading military books, so there is no difference between the military examination and the imperial examination, and we have nothing to do with it."

Zhang Huli said, "It doesn't matter if you don't understand the military tactics and military books. If you can excel in long battle, horse shooting, horse spear, foot shooting, and heavy-duty crossbow, you can become the top martial arts champion and directly join the Jinyiwei."

All the generals quickly turned their eyes to Zhang Huli. Even though they were closer to Luo Yi, they knew that as long as he was there, General Luo could not be considered the true master of Liaodong.

Even in Liaodong, they had heard of the name of the Jinyiwei. It was rumored that their life was happier than being an official and they could kill anyone they wanted.

"Duke Ping, how can this be considered the best?"

Changduo is an archery target made of silk cloth with five concentric circles painted on it. People draw their bows and shoot from about a hundred steps outside the target. Each person shoots ten arrows. If none of them goes out of the four rings, it is considered a pass. The one who hits the innermost ring with all ten arrows is the best.

The generals looked at each other in bewilderment. There was still some hope of passing, but it would be difficult to get on. None of them was sure.

Someone flattered him, "I'm afraid only the two generals have the ability to reach the top. We are far from it."

Luo Yi didn't say anything. He thought he was somewhat confident in horse spear, piercing and heavy-duty shooting, but he was not confident at all in long-distance shooting and horse shooting. Zhang Huli was the best at archery and was also good at horse spear.

However, since they both have reached this status, if they continue to compete for the title of martial arts champion, it would be seen as bullying the weak and would only make people laugh.

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In Chang'an, according to the order of His Majesty the Emperor, the military examination was presided over by Li Jing, Duke of Weiguo, assisted by Li Shimin, Prince of Qin, and Li Mi, Duke of Yangdu. They gathered together to carefully consider the contents of the military examination.

The Duke of Wei undoubtedly paid more attention to military strategies, while the King of Qin hoped to select brave and capable generals through military examinations.

"Your Highness, if you just want to pick some common men, why not select them from the army? Why bother setting up a military examination?
The key to victory is to examine the abilities of your generals, judge the strengths and weaknesses of your enemies, determine the terrain, and see when the time is right. Win first and then fight, and defend the terrain without losing it. This is the sure way to victory!"

Li Shimin frowned and retorted: "Talented generals are rare. If the Duke of Wei wants to select talented generals through the military examination, then he must be worried about selecting Zhao Kuo, who only knows how to talk about war on paper.

It is better to be the one who can show his true talent and knowledge in the examination. A good general can also be a commander. Even if he does not have the talent to be a commander, he is at least a brave general. He can always be good at archery and horse fighting. "

"A brave man can rise in the army step by step by making contributions. When establishing a military examination, it should select the most talented generals that the court lacks the most.

There is nothing wrong with Zhao Kuo. At least he has talent. As long as he is not entrusted with great power at the beginning and is allowed to observe in the battlefield and combine what he has learned with the war, no matter how good the unpolished jade is, it still needs to be carved and polished. "

Li Shimin continued to refute that he himself was a natural born talent and naturally knew how rare his kind were. He didn't understand why Li Jing fantasized that there were so many uncut gems.

But Li Jing was firm in his attitude: "If a general fights without planning, it is tantamount to driving the people into boiling water and driving cattle and sheep to eat wolves and tigers.

Li Jing insisted that the martial arts examination should not be turned into a martial arts competition that only selects a group of rough men with high martial arts skills.

In the end, the two parted on bad terms, and in the end Li Mi had to handle the military examination matters. The Duke of Wei and the King of Qin never met again.

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Li Jiancheng, who moved into the Luoyang Imperial Palace, was filled with emotion. This city was built under his eyes. At that time, Yang Su and others were still alive.

The emperor took the empress to meet the previous empress, who lived with several of her granddaughters in a separate official residence outside the city of Luoyang. Although they were no longer wealthy and prosperous, they were happy and comfortable.

After all, her two grandchildren are still alive, which shows that the emperor is tolerant, so she and her granddaughters have nothing to worry about. For someone like her who has experienced great changes, this is already a very good situation. Xiao is very respectful to the emperor and empress, and the emperor and empress also regard themselves as their sons and nephews.

After sitting down, Xiao performed the ceremony solemnly and thanked the emperor for reburying her husband with such great ceremony.

After talking for more than an hour, the emperor and empress said goodbye and left, leaving behind many gifts they brought from Jiangnan.

To the queen, this was her own aunt. Without her, how could the Xiao family have lived such a good life after the country was destroyed and the Sui Dynasty was established?

As for the emperor, Xiao had spoken well of him in front of Yang Guang many times and tried her best to arrange his future. He had not forgotten this favor.

After returning to the Luoyang Palace, the emperor ordered Duke Yang You of Feng to bring his wife and children to visit and take care of his grandmother.

The Queen was pleased with this and rewarded His Majesty generously.

The next day, at the imperial court, as soon as the emperor sat down, the counselors stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, Chang'an is the capital. When the military examination is held, hundreds of thousands of people will come in and out of the imperial city with bows and arrows, swords and knives. I'm afraid this is not appropriate!"

Zhang Sun Wuji stepped out and said, "I second the proposal. It would be appropriate to hold the military examination in another place next year."

Li Jiancheng didn't think that thousands of people could cause any trouble, after all, they had no armor, but what his ministers said made sense.

He now has a deep control over Chang'an. Nothing can be hidden from him, let alone armor, which is the most taboo thing.

However, our descendants may not be able to do so in the future. If thousands of brave and elite soldiers suddenly start a killing spree, it would be difficult to suppress them easily.

The emperor nodded in agreement, and the Minister of War Fang Xuanling suggested: "Zhuo County is the place where your majesty hides his power. I think...

"Your Majesty, Yanmen..."

"I have decided to hold the military examination in Jiangdu in the future. Jiangnan is the place of literary spirit in the world, but it lacks martial virtue. If one can combine civil and military skills, kill the enemy on horseback and govern the country on foot, then he will be a true hero."

What else could the ministers say? This was not a discussion, this was an order.

"My Holy Emperor!"

However, from this, everyone also knows that what His Majesty likes is people who are both civil and military talents, so it is necessary to cultivate talented children in this direction.

After the court was dismissed, many children of noble families were forced to take on an additional task, and the prices of archery and horsemanship in Luoyang increased significantly.

What the superior likes, the subordinates will like even more. That's how it is.

The emperor gradually returned to the state he was in before the abdication. He was no longer so harsh on his ministers and would occasionally give banquets or rewards to ministers who performed well.

The court's nerves, which had been tense for a long time, finally slowly relaxed. With the New Year approaching and the arrival of scholars from all over the country who were taking the imperial examinations in Luoyang, the court finally regained the lively atmosphere of the past.

The emperor was naturally happy to see this happen. He had already established his authority. Continuing with a high-pressure policy would not be good for himself or the court.

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(End of this chapter)