I am collecting entries in reincarnation

Chapter 25: The Twelfth Year of Datong

In the twelfth year of Datong, after ten years of recuperation, the world finally regained its vitality and vigor.

Time is the greatest magician in the world, smoothing out all traces of pain with its invisible hands.

The ten-year war seems to have been forgotten. The tragic situations of those years have become stories told by the elders. Many famous figures from many years ago are either dead or in seclusion, or in high positions in government or far away from home.

And now, Datong’s first Prime Minister is about to abdicate!
Woo.
On the canal, a ship belched black smoke, carrying a boatload of tourists upstream, heading straight for the capital.

"This steamship is powered by a steam engine and doesn't require wind or human power to operate. No matter how many times I've ridden it, I can't help but marvel at the Führer's wisdom!"

A man on the deck, wearing a long green gown, leaned on the railing and sighed sincerely.

This man had regular features and a resolute gaze. Judging from his appearance, he looked to be in his twenties. His name was Zhu Xi.

"Hahaha, that being said, the greatest contribution belongs to Academician Ai of the Research Institute. Otherwise, these fantastic ideas wouldn't be possible. I heard that Academician Ai had been studying the various technologies and ideas left behind by Duke Zhu before the President started his rebellion. With the President's support, he was unstoppable, and new technologies emerge every year. The President even said that Academician Ai alone is worth two divisions!"

"But when it comes to wisdom, I think Datong's first set of radio gymnastics and the first set of Qi-inducing formulas are more valuable!" Another tall man in black wearing tights took two steps towards Zhu Xi, as if he wanted to talk to him.

"A gentleman should be good at making use of things. No matter how well you practice gymnastics and internal energy, they can only strengthen your body. In my opinion, the continuous development of science and technology is the hard truth!" At this time, a fat man who looked like a businessman in a silk gown spoke.

"I think you are spreading rumors because you have poor aptitude and cannot achieve any results from your practice." The man in black was named Wu Wang. He showed a little contempt when he saw this man for the first time.

"You little brat!"

"Forget it, Brother Jia, don't bother with him." Another thin man in a shirt advised and gave him a hand.

The man called Brother Jia angrily waved his sleeves and turned around, still muttering something like, "A knight who violates the law with force, be careful or he'll be taken out and shot. Can his Qing Gong skills outrun a train?"

This caused everyone to laugh, and for a moment the deck was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

After the incident, Wu Wang formally bowed to Zhu Xi and said, "I am Wu Wang. Seeing that you are so handsome, I want to make friends with you. May I ask your name?"

Seeing that he was behaving appropriately, Zhu Xi returned the greeting, saying, "My name is Zhu Xi. I'm not as graceful as Brother Wu, who is so handsome and elegant."

"Excuse me, Brother Zhu, where are you from?" Wu Wang asked.

"Xuzhou." Zhu Xi replied.

"Xuzhou, and the surname is Zhu? Could it be that Zhu family?" Wu Wang's expression changed solemnly.

Zhu Xi nodded quickly and smiled, "Exactly."

"I didn't expect that Brother Zhu is from a famous family." Wu Wang's tone now had a hint of invisible respect.

"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it," Zhu Xi said modestly, "it's nothing surprising."

After hearing Zhu Xi introduce himself, even Fatty Jia, who had walked away at first, came over and said, "So you're a descendant of a sage. Now that it's June, you must be here to take the civil service exam."

Zhu Xi smiled and said, "Exactly."

At this time, Fatty Jia took out a small hard card from his pocket and handed it over, introducing himself: "My name is Jia, and I run a Gaosheng Hotel in the capital, which specializes in serving students like you who come to Beijing for exams. Take my business card with you and you will get a discount." Zhu Xi took the business card with a smile.

Jia Bujia asked again, "Since you can come to the capital to take the exam, I wonder if Brother Zhu graduated from 101 or 250?"

"Xuzhou Normal University." Zhu Xi's voice was lower at this time, and his face seemed to be a little flushed.

"Oh, Normal University." Jia Bujia laughed dryly twice, his expression changed, and then he said, "Normal University is also good, very good, very good, hahahaha"

But the initial enthusiasm is gone.

101 and 250 are synonymous with 35 famous schools, named by Zhang Mingyu, the first head of Datong. Normal schools are just the highest level of compulsory education, and are available in every state and county.

Although there are no special benefits for graduates from prestigious universities, relatively speaking, students from prestigious universities are more likely to successfully pass the civil service exam and get a job.

Na Jia smiled and talked to Zhu Xi for a few words before being pulled away by his companions.

Seeing Jia Bujia walking away, Wu Wang stepped forward and said, "Merchants only care about profit. They are really snobbish. Brother Zhu, don't worry about it."

Zhu Xi smiled and said, "I never care about other people's opinions. By the way, Brother Wu, what are you going to do this time?"

"Participate in the martial arts examination!" Wu Wang's eyes lit up, his face full of longing, and he said it as a matter of course.

"Oh, Brother Wu doesn't look very old, yet he has such confidence? I wonder what his current cultivation level is?"

"Although I've just reached Qi Condensation and am only a first-level warrior, I'm not even close to a second-level martial artist, and I'm even further away from a third-level grandmaster. But as the leader said, 'If you keep improving, you'll improve every day!' The martial arts exam isn't about comparing martial arts skills, but about innovation! If you can hone and invent new martial arts techniques, you can enter the martial arts academy, continue your research in martial arts, and enjoy the treatment of an academician."

"So this is what Brother Wu is aiming for." Zhu Xi nodded to show his understanding.

Today, Datong is in a prosperous era. Although everyone is pursuing equality, there are still differences in social status. Apart from Zhu Xi who wants to take the civil service exam and go into politics, the most popular options are to enter the Wu Academy to study martial arts and the changes between man and nature, and to enter the Tongke Academy to study natural science.

As for merchants and other industries, they don't say it openly, but in fact they are more or less inferior to these three.

"I heard that the head of state decided to abdicate this year." Wu Wang suddenly said.

"Yes, according to the Datong law, a term of office is four years, and a maximum of three consecutive terms can be achieved. Now is the twelfth year of Datong, and Lord Zhang has been re-elected three times. In this election, the head of state will step down." Zhu Xi said.

"Tell me, throughout the dynasties, who wouldn't turn the public power into private property after conquering the world and regard the world as the property of one family? How come our Lord Zhang is so foolish that he refuses to ascend the throne to become the emperor, but instead takes the title of head of state and doesn't pass the position to his descendants." Wu Wang said with a sigh.

Zhu Xi also nodded in agreement.
"Perhaps this is the greatness of a great man, changing the entire system of a country from top to bottom. I actually hope that Lord Zhang will be emperor for life, but he himself said that he can be a good emperor for life, but there is no guarantee that there will be unfilial descendants, cruel and unjust, who will become a burden to the world."

"It's easy to establish a dynasty, but difficult to maintain it for eternity. If we don't change the old system, it will just be like changing the name of Datong under the guise of Da Qi and following the old path again. Three or four hundred years later, it will eventually have to change. Only reform, decentralization, and mutual checks and balances can create the most stable structure!"

Wu Wang also nodded and said, "Master Zhang always sees further!"

Just then, a ship's whistle blew, and the two knew that they had arrived at the capital.

After clasping each other, the two packed their luggage, left the ship, set foot on this vibrant city, and began their respective journeys.

(End of this chapter)