Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

All the newly appointed scholars received their initial official appointments, bowed to the emperor, and lined up to leave.

They went out of Donghua Gate, adorned with flowers and riding horses through the streets.

The Prefect of Kaifeng personally led the horse for the top scholar, Li Zhong, who sat on the horse as if in a dream.

He grew up in the Hehuang region and never received any formal education.

After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, his father sent him to Lanzhou for further studies, where he was finally able to properly study Confucian classics.

However, he failed the imperial examination twice, so he took his money and went to Yangzhou to study—Yangzhou Academy is now very famous.

He improved his scores in subjects like physics and mathematics, and finally passed the imperial examination in Shaanxi.

This year's imperial examination also ranked low, barely making it out of the top tier.

With such terrible grades, how did he suddenly become the top scorer?

Cheers filled the streets as Li Zhong rode his horse the entire way, seemingly in a daze.

In the evening, the newly appointed scholars gathered for a meal. One after another, they came to toast Li Zhong and ask for his company.

Li Zhong had an excellent alcohol tolerance and would drink anything offered to him.

The second-place scholar, Huang Gongdu, sat beside him and couldn't help but ask, "Brother Zhicheng, could you tell me what you wrote in your palace examination essay?"

The essays taken in the imperial examinations had to be published to demonstrate the fairness of the examinations and to prevent substandard essays from receiving high scores.

They even printed it into a book so that scholars from all over the country could study and learn from it.

However, the essays taken in the palace examination were generally not made public, so there was no such thing as failing the exam; it was just a matter of re-ranking.

Huang Gongdu was very puzzled. He was confident in his literary talent, his use of allusions, and his reasoning. He couldn't understand how he could lose to a scholar from the frontier.

Li Zhong no longer remembered the words and phrases in the article, but simply recounted the contents of his answer sheet.

After listening to this, the newly appointed scholars at the table were basically certain of two things:

First, this top scholar's Confucian scholarship was very poor, and he was not proficient in literary allusions. If he were in the south, he would probably have had a hard time passing the imperial examination.

Secondly, some parts of this top scholar's examination essay were approved by the emperor.

Huang Gongdu has been very busy these days, as he is the runner-up in the imperial examination and has many social engagements.

After the flower-adorned parade through the streets, the next day they would worship at the Confucian Temple—the new Confucian Temple where Confucius's father had been removed.

In the evening, I attended the Qionglin Banquet.

After sleeping soundly through the night, he went to the Ministry of Rites to rehearse and learn various etiquette rules.

For several nights in a row, I had to drink.

There were always newly appointed scholars from wealthy families who would warmly invite their fellow graduates.

The imperial court specially opened Jinming Pond, allowing the scholars who had passed the imperial examinations to drink and play there.

If they weren't rehearsing etiquette during the day, everyone would go to Jinming Pond for literary gatherings, composing poems and enjoying themselves immensely.

Once a masterpiece appears, it spreads throughout the capital the very next day.

Although Huang Gongdu was the second-place scholar, he achieved even greater success than the top-ranking scholar.

Chapter 3498 Another Amazing Person

Because of his excellent poetry, even some of his old works were sung by singing girls in Tokyo!

Huang Gongdu in this time and space is destined to have a better life.

Historically, he was appreciated by Prime Minister Zhao Ding in the same year he passed the imperial examination with top honors.

Because he supported Zhao Ding and Yue Fei, he was dismissed from office after only two or three years in office due to being falsely accused by Qin Hui.

A few years later, he was recalled to the capital, but was soon demoted to manage a Taoist temple.

A top scholar wasted more than ten years of his life, yet he was still only a sub-prefect in Zhaoqing Prefecture.

He was only promoted to Assistant Minister after Qin Hui died of illness.

He soon died of illness, his health deteriorating due to the constant transfers he had made in his early years, which kept him traveling back and forth between remote prefectures and counties.

Wearing his newly issued official robes, Huang Gongdu got up early and gathered with a group of newly appointed scholars on Junyi Street.

Everyone seemed very excited because today was the ceremony for presenting captured prisoners.

Li Zhong stood in front of Huang Gongdu, having been jolted awake from his dream.

Li Zhong could sense that although everyone was very enthusiastic towards him, it was all just a facade.

His father was a low-ranking general in the Song Dynasty, but by the Ming Dynasty he had been demoted to a garrison officer in Huangzhou, and was no longer even a formal general.

If he, the son of a foreign military officer, were truly exceptionally talented, he might have been viewed differently by his fellow graduates of the imperial examinations.

The problem is that he doesn't have much knowledge, and his poetry is only so-so, and even his math and physics are not top-notch.

How many people are resentful that someone like him could become the top scholar in the imperial examination?

Huang Gongdu was very dissatisfied, but he still maintained his composure.

Sometimes, Li Zhong feels embarrassed when asked about poetry.

Huang Gongdu took the initiative to help him out of the predicament, steer the conversation toward the various ethnic groups in Northwest China, and asked Li Zhong for advice on some ethnic issues.

Li Zhong spoke eloquently on ethnic issues, drawing applause from some and disdain from many others.

"Distinguished scholars, the ceremony is about to begin. Please move forward!" A clerk from the Ministry of Rites ran over to remind them.

Li Zhong hurried forward, and Huang Gongdu followed closely behind.

They lined up behind many civil officials, slowly walked towards the Imperial Street, and then approached Xuande Tower.

"Stop!"

Everyone waited patiently, and no one dared to speak again.

As the four clocks of the Bell and Drum Tower were about to strike the hour, several shouts rang out from Xuande Tower: "The Emperor ascends the tower!"

Suddenly, the sound of ceremonial music filled the air.

"All officials, step forward!"

The newly appointed scholars, following behind the civil and military officials, walked closer to Xuande Tower.

Following the official's instructions, Huang Gongdu tucked his official tablet into his waistband, kowtowed to the emperor, and shouted "Long live the emperor!" before standing up and dancing joyfully.

Immediately afterwards, the civil and military officials retreated to both sides.

The master of ceremonies announced again: "The Emperor is reviewing the troops!"

Military parades were held in every dynasty, but they were usually conducted in drill grounds or suburbs. It was rare for emperors to bring their troops into the city for inspection.

The music changed again, becoming even more stirring.

From Yujie Street all the way south to Nanxun Gate, the main thoroughfare connecting half of Tokyo, people on both sides of the street stopped to watch the ceremony.

The army also entered through the Nanxun Gate, so that all the common people could see it.

Huang Gongdu suddenly heard a gasp, followed by cheers and shouts.

"Clang clang clang clang~~~~"

The sound of orderly footsteps grew louder as they approached, and Huang Gongdu couldn't help but stand on tiptoe to look.

At the forefront were heavily armored guards, led by Bai Sheng, the commander of the Imperial Guards, followed by Gu San and Shi Biao directing the advance.

Chapter 3499 The Messenger of Illusion

Only these three generals showed their faces; the rest of the heavily armored infantry had all pulled down their face shields. They were completely covered in armor.

With only three holes—eyes and mouth—they marched in perfect unison, their long spears held upright, exuding a chilling aura that could be felt from a great distance.

The yellow-headed Uyghur envoy who came to the capital to request an official title showed a surprised expression.

But they weren't completely intimidated, since the enemy was mainly composed of cavalry, and even the best-equipped infantry couldn't catch up.

Soon, the expression on the yellow-headed Uyghur envoy's face changed from surprise to terror.

Because behind the heavy infantry were the heavy cavalry commanded by Chen Ziyi.

Next came the elite cavalry led by Li Yanxian, whose warhorses were all clad in lightweight cotton armor.

According to Zhao Yuan's order to change armor, for the next five years, both heavy cavalry and elite cavalry will have to switch to cotton armor.

The only difference was the design of the cotton armor; the weight of the heavy cavalry's cotton armor was only slightly lighter than before.

However, its defensive capabilities are greatly enhanced, and it also has the function of keeping warm in winter.

The cotton armor worn by the elite cavalry was much lighter than the lamellar armor of the past, and its defensive capabilities were not significantly different.

The heavy infantry ahead had already reached the foot of Xuande Tower.

"Salute!"

The Minister of War shouted.

The heavy infantrymen gripped their spears in their right hands, standing firmly on the ground, while their left fists were held horizontally across their chests.

Zhao Yuan stood on the city wall and returned the salute with his left fist clenched across his chest.

"Victory! Victory! Victory!"

In an instant, shouts shook the heavens, and Huang Gongdu was filled with fervor.

The heavily armored infantry split into two groups. After saluting, they walked forward along the south street to the left and right, and stood still at their designated positions.

"dismount!"

The heavy cavalry were accompanied by squires who helped the knights dismount and together they saluted the city tower.

He then shouted "Wow, victory!", remounted his horse, and proceeded along the left side of South Street.

Next came the elite cavalry, who repeated the actions of the heavy cavalry, advancing along the right side of South Street.

Hua Rong led his musketeers behind him and came to the front of Xuande Tower to pay their respects.

Instead of shouting "Victory!", they raised their flintlock pistols and fired a volley of shots into the sky (without loading lead bullets).

Zhao Yuan pursed his lips. He had already seen that some flintlock guns failed to fire and did not produce any smoke.

We still need to continue improving it and increase the firing rate.

"Is this a musket?"

The newly appointed scholars were abuzz with discussion.

Most of them had heard of the renown of muskets and knew that the Ming Dynasty had a powerful army called the Divine Machine Army, which had routed the ferocious Jin soldiers.

Huang Gongdu asked, "Brother Zhicheng, have you ever seen firearms?"

Li Zhong replied, "When Duke Yang of Yang defeated the Western Xia, I was studying in Lanzhou and was fortunate enough to witness it."

"However, the muskets of that time had a match cord, but they don't anymore."

"This is truly a powerful weapon for the nation!" Huang Gongdu exclaimed repeatedly.

Next came the mixed forces, with mules pulling tanks that carried many thunderbolts.

Each chariot was accompanied by a squad consisting of swordsmen, spearmen, archers, grenadiers, cooks, and so on.

Last to appear, they were all artillery!

Ahead was a massive siege cannon, followed by more than ten field guns, and then dozens of smaller cannons of various types.

Wu Qimai stood near the state bridge, watching the processions pass by, his mind completely numb.

Chapter 3500 Terrified

Wanyan Xiyin, who was kneeling there as a prisoner of war, kept giving a free explanation: "These heavy infantrymen appeared during the Battle of Gaocheng."

"They attacked the city in coordination with the musketeers, and the Jin warriors were simply no match for them..."

"The Ming Dynasty's heavy cavalry and elite cavalry are actually no match for our Jurchen cavalry..."

"Those are musketeers; their lead bullets can pierce iron armor..."