NCCnovel Chapter 307 Consort Fucha
Chapter 307 Consort Fucha
Feng Ruozhao hesitated for a moment before speaking first:
"Your Majesty, I would like to go to the textile factory to help out first."
The textile factory's accounts are complex and require meticulousness and patience.
"I feel that I might be able to help in this regard."
She looked at Lü Yingfeng and Ma Jiafangyue (Consort Fang) and continued:
"Sister Lü and Sister Ma Jia, please come along too."
The three of us going to the textile factory will allow us to look out for each other and better accomplish our task.
Lü Yingfeng and Ma Jiafangyue exchanged a glance and nodded slightly in agreement.
Lu Yingfeng said softly, "Shuhe and Shujing are at the textile factory."
"I'll go help out at the textile factory, and I can take care of them at the same time."
Ma Jiafangyue nodded in agreement.
Fucha Peiyun was not surprised to see this; they all wanted to be with their daughter.
Spending more time together is also good.
She looked at Cao Qinmo, Shen Meizhuang, Fang Jiachunyi, and Lian Yao.
Their daughters both work at the newspaper office, and they both want to work there.
Fucha Peiyun looked at Cao Meizhuang, Shen Meizhuang, and the others.
"You want to go to the newspaper office to help Wen Yijing and the others, right?"
Cao Qinmo smiled slightly and said softly:
"Your Majesty is right, I do indeed wish to help out at the newspaper."
According to people close to Wen Yi and Wen Yan, the sisters have been extremely busy lately.
"I hope I can help them with some of the proofreading work, so that she can have an easier time."
Shen Meizhuang nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I also want to go to the newspaper office."
Jinghe is young, but she is very serious about her work.
"If I go to help, it will ease her worries."
Fang Jiachun and Lian Yao didn't speak, but they both nodded.
Fucha Peiyun smiled slightly and nodded in satisfaction:
"Alright, since everyone has already made a decision, let's proceed according to your wishes."
Feng Ruozhao and the others nodded.
Fucha Peiyun then said, "Then this matter is settled."
Go back and make good preparations. Tomorrow, each of you will go and help out.
I will also arrange for someone to assist you.
Everyone readily accepted the order.
Seeing that Fucha Peiyun had made all the arrangements, Nian Shilan asked her...
"Ah Jun, how is the assessment for the Eight Banners' descendants arranged?"
Fucha Peiyun: "Hongchang has almost finished arranging the assessment of the Eight Banners children this time."
The assessment is divided into several parts, the first of which is a martial arts assessment.
It includes basic martial arts skills such as horseback archery, swordsmanship, spears, and halberds, as well as physical fitness tests, such as long-distance running and weight-bearing exercises.
These are to test their basic military skills.
She paused, then continued:
"In addition to the martial arts assessment, there is also a cultural assessment."
After all, the imperial court needs not only military force, but also talented people with wisdom and strategy.
The cultural assessment includes knowledge of military strategy, terrain, and other related areas.
Nian Shilan nodded slightly, "This assessment is quite comprehensive."
However, those Manchu bannermen, who only know how to enjoy themselves, how could they possibly pass the cultural examinations?
Fucha Peiyun sneered.
"This is precisely to let them know that the imperial court selects talent not just based on family background."
If they fail to pass, it will be a good lesson for them.
The Manchu bannermen have enjoyed peace and stability for many years; I fear very few will pass this examination.
With the help of Feng Ruozhao and others, the princesses felt much more at ease.
Wen Yihe, Shuhe, and others were already extremely busy with matters concerning the *Da Qing Bai Xing Bao* (Great Qing People's Daily) and the textile factory.
Now, with the help of their own mother,
They can then focus more on assessing the Manchu bannermen.
With more time to practice martial arts
Nian Shilan spent her days practicing martial arts, horseback riding, and archery.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the day for the Eight Banners children's assessment has quietly arrived.
On this day, the entire Forbidden City was shrouded in a tense and solemn atmosphere.
Whether they were palace maids and eunuchs or ordinary people in the city,
You could almost feel the heavy atmosphere.
The assessment was held at the drill ground outside the Forbidden City.
This place is spacious and open, and as flat as a whetstone.
It was the perfect place for the Manchu bannermen to showcase their martial arts skills and talents.
The area around the drill ground was already packed with people, creating a lively and bustling scene.
The guards, armed with weapons, maintained order and ensured the safety of the scene.
People were standing or sitting, or whispering to each other.
Whether they were eagerly anticipating it or not, everyone was waiting for the start of this grand assessment.
Some of them were family members and friends of the Manchu bannermen, while others were ordinary people interested in martial arts and skills.
Others came purely to watch the spectacle.
When Hongchang proposed that the public be allowed to watch the assessment, the imperial court erupted in uproar.
The ministers strongly opposed the idea, arguing that allowing ordinary people to witness such an important assessment was inappropriate.
This is utterly disgraceful to the imperial court's dignity and solemnity.
“How can this be allowed?” a minister stepped forward and said.
"The imperial examination is a solemn matter; how can it be allowed to be watched casually by those ignorant common people?"
Wouldn't this utterly undermine the imperial court's authority?
Another minister chimed in, saying, "Moreover, with so many people talking, it's easy for those with ulterior motives to take advantage of the situation."
A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall; Your Majesty must not take this risk!
However, Hongchang remained unusually resolute in the face of the ministers' unanimous opposition.
He said slowly, "My lords, I understand your concerns."
However, I don't think it's a bad thing to let the public watch the assessment.
The Eight Banners Army was established to protect the people and the entire Qing Dynasty.
If this process could be made known to all people, it would not only increase the transparency of the assessment,
This will allow the people to see the fairness and rigor of the imperial court's talent selection process.
Hongchang's words made some ministers think deeply, but others remained unconvinced.
Seeing this, Hongchang continued, "Moreover, the people's eyes are discerning."
They can monitor the evaluation process, and any unfairness will naturally arouse public outrage.
In this way, we can better ensure the fairness of the assessment.
What Hongchang didn't mention was that these Manchu bannermen were walking their cats and dogs and bullying the common people in the capital.
The common people were afraid of their family background and power, and dared not resist.
Now they are being made to witness the assessment of the Eight Banners' descendants firsthand.
He personally witnessed him dealing with those Manchu bannermen who oppressed the people.
It also allows the people to feel the fairness and determination of the imperial court.
Hongchang continued, "Furthermore, the assessment of the Eight Banners' descendants is not only a display of martial arts skills, but also a cultural assessment."
By making the assessment open, the public can witness the process firsthand.
They can not only gain a more intuitive understanding of the court's comprehensive requirements for talent,
At the same time, it can inspire more people to study hard, strive for excellence, and serve the country.
Nian Gengyao and Prince Dun, among others, nodded in agreement, indicating that they would arrange sufficient guards to protect the Emperor's safety.
However, some ministers still seemed to have doubts and wanted to continue to refute this.
Hongchang's gaze swept over the crowd; his voice, though not loud, was filled with determination:
"My mind is made up; this assessment must be open to the people."
If any unexpected situation occurs during this process
I will handle this properly; I will not risk my own safety.
His words carried weight and could not be ignored.
If there really are people like the White Lotus Sect taking advantage of the chaos and daring to assassinate him...
His years of martial arts training weren't for nothing, and there was also Zhang Hude.
The entire Dark Guard Battalion behind Ye Lanyi was no pushover.
"Since His Majesty has made his decision, we will naturally obey."
An elderly minister stepped forward, bowed slightly, and spoke.
His tone carried a hint of helplessness, but it also revealed his trust in Hongchang.
Hongchang nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his tone softening considerably:
"My lords, I know that you are worried about the safety of the people."
Rest assured, I have arranged enough guards to maintain order.
Nian Gengyao and Prince Dun will personally oversee security to ensure absolute safety.
Nian Gengyao and Prince Dun exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.
"Your Majesty, we will certainly live up to your expectations and ensure the smooth conduct of the assessment."
Soon, the time for the assessment arrived.
Hongchang was not wearing a dragon robe today; he was dressed in his riding and archery attire.
Surrounded by a group of guards, he solemnly ascended the reviewing stand.
Empress Fucha Peiyun, Nian Shilan, and other members of the harem were also seated nearby.
Hongchang's gaze swept across the entire room, he nodded slightly, then stood up and said loudly:
"The Qing Dynasty was a Qing Dynasty on horseback."
The Eight Banners were the backbone of the Qing Dynasty.
Today's assessment is not only a test of your martial arts skills and academic abilities,
It is also a test of your sense of responsibility and mission.
I hope you will give it your all and showcase the spirit of the Manchu bannermen!
Hongchang took the powerful bow that Zhang Hude handed him, and gently drew it back with a smooth and powerful movement.
Hongchang shot an arrow at three birds flying overhead.
Piercing through three birds, achieving three goals with one arrow, the scene was breathtaking, and the entire audience erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.
"Long live the Emperor! The Emperor is mighty! Long live the Emperor! The Emperor is mighty!"
This was the first time that military generals like Nian Gengyao had witnessed Hongchang's astonishing archery skills.
He couldn't help but look at this young emperor with new respect.
The people were extremely excited, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" The scene was incredibly lively.
Hongchang smiled slightly, handed the bow and arrow to Zhang Hude, and said loudly:
"The assessment begins. I hope you will not disappoint me."
The Manchu bannermen present couldn't help but feel a sense of awe upon witnessing Hongchang's superb martial arts skills.
Some people mustered their courage and made up their minds to learn from the emperor.
There are also those who, with self-awareness, are cowardly before the battle even begins.
Unfortunately, they can no longer back down.
With the examiner's command, the first round of mounted archery assessment officially began.
The Eight Banners soldiers mounted their horses, bows and arrows in hand, and charged toward the shooting range like arrows released from a bow.
Some were agile, skilled riders, and their arrows never missed their mark;
Some, however, appeared flustered, their horses becoming unruly, and their arrows shooting off course.
The lackluster performance of the Eight Banners soldiers left many of the ministers present feeling extremely uneasy and sweating profusely.
They unconsciously glanced at Hongchang's expression.
Hongchang's expression remained calm and composed, revealing no emotional fluctuation.
But his gaze swept over the poorly performing Manchu bannermen like a sharp sword.
Fucha Peiyun looked at the poorly performing Manchu bannermen.
With a slight frown, he whispered to Nian Shilan:
“These young men are used to being pampered and spoiled. Their behavior is a disgrace to the honor of the Eight Banners.”
Nian Shilan sneered, "Hmph, they act all high and mighty all the time, but when it comes to the assessment, they show their true colors."
Fucha Peiyun looked at Nian Shilan, smiled slightly, and said in a low voice.
"It's time for you to step up and show these Manchu bannermen what true Manchu style is all about."
A hint of excitement flashed in Nian Shilan's eyes, and she rubbed her hands together eagerly, saying:
"Right on my mind!"
Nian Shilan stood up; her bright red riding outfit shone brightly in the sunlight.
Like a burning flame, it exudes a heroic and dashing aura.
She walked to the center of the field and stood next to the chestnut horse that had been prepared beforehand.
With a light lift of her hands, she nimbly mounted the horse.
The whole process was as natural and smooth as flowing water, without the slightest hesitation or delay.
Not far from Nian Shilan, Princesses Shuhe, Wenyi, and Shujia followed suit.
Their movements were equally crisp and efficient, in no way inferior to Nian Shilan's.
These princesses were dressed in riding outfits of various colors, some bright and beautiful, others simple and elegant.
But all of them demonstrated their courage and perseverance.
Seeing this, the ministers exchanged bewildered glances, silently wondering to themselves:
The Empress Dowager of the Western Palace actually brought the princesses with her on stage. Isn't this ridiculous?
Such occasions have always been places for men to demonstrate their riding and archery skills; how could women possibly participate?
The ministers whispered amongst themselves, discussing the matter animatedly.
His gaze frequently drifted towards Hongchang and Fucha Peiyun, who were seated above him.
They are hoping that they will step in and stop this farce.
Surprisingly, Hongchang and Fucha Peiyun did not stop them as everyone had hoped.
On the contrary, their faces even showed an encouraging expression.
He seemed to quite admire Nian Shilan and the princesses' behavior.
Then look at the princes such as Prince Heng, Prince Dun, and Prince Zhuang,
Some of the princes seemed to be deep in thought, as if pondering something;
Some were quite excited, seemingly full of anticipation for the princesses' performance.
Looking at Nian Gengyao, he had a proud and honored expression on his face.
His eyes were fixed on Nian Shilan.
Upon seeing this, the ministers quickly realized what was happening.
Oh, this Empress Dowager of the Western Palace is General Nian's younger sister!
Seeing that no one stopped them
Just then, a minister finally couldn't help but speak up:
"Your Majesty, Princesses, this assessment is for the Eight Banners' sons, how could you..."
Nian Shilan glanced at the minister with disdain, then retorted without any politeness:
"What, do you look down on us women?"
I am not like those spineless wretches.
Today, I will show you what true skill is!
Before she finished speaking, she squeezed the horse's flanks with her legs, and the steed beneath her galloped off like an arrow.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Nian Shilan, who was riding a horse with agility and skill.
She swiftly drew her bow and nocked an arrow, her movements flowing smoothly and naturally, without the slightest hesitation.
Nian Shilan drew the great bow to its fullest extent, the arrowhead gleaming with a cold light, ready to be released.
Her movements were fluid and seamless, without the slightest hesitation, as if it were all an innate instinct.
Immediately afterwards, with a "whoosh," the arrow shot towards the bullseye like a meteor.
It drew a graceful arc in the air.
Everyone present stared wide-eyed, afraid of missing this exciting moment.
With a "bang," the arrow hit the bullseye accurately.
The red circle at the bullseye was deeply pierced by the arrow.