[Sorry, there are only two chapters today. I was too excited to watch volleyball yesterday.]

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After the Chang'an court made its final decision, the situation in Nanjun was no longer suspense. Qu Tutong withdrew from Jingling County and retreated directly to Jiangxia County. This was Li Yuan's will. Li Yuan appointed Qu Tutong as the general manager of Jingzhou, and the military yard was located in Wuchang County. In other words, Qu Tutong led a heavy army to Wuchang for the long term, and Li Shimin immediately returned to Chang'an to report his duties.

However, Li Xiaogong was still stationed in Yiling County and confronted the Liang army in Nanjun. Eight days later, the Tang army's rafts arrived in Yiling County with food, and finally resolved the food crisis of Li Xiaogong's army. Although the food problem was solved, Li Xiaogong also gave up his attack on Nanjun and began to turn to Yiling County to make full preparations for the next Eastern Expedition.

As the Tang Ting of Chang'an gave up the plan to attack Nanjun, the situation in the south began to cool down rapidly, while at the same time, the annual imperial examinations gradually reached a boiling moment.

On the first day of May, there are still five days before the imperial examination. All the topics in Zhongdu City are inseparable from the content of the "Imperial Examination". Compared with last year, the number of people participating in the imperial examination this year reached 73,000, an increase of more than 10,000 from last year. The main reason is that the sudden increase of scholars in the southern region has been the sharp increase. Of course, the more important reason is that the territory of the Northern Sui Dynasty has expanded rapidly this year. The six counties of the Central Plains, Jianghuai, Jiangnan, and Ganjiang have increased far exceeding the original territory.

There were groups of scholars in Zhongdu City. Those who could visit relatives and friends would stay at their homes, but there were no relatives in Zhongdu, so they could only find another way. Almost all inns were full, temples and Imperial College were also full of scholars who stayed there. In order to solve the accommodation of the scholars in the south, the court specially emptied the Zuowei camp in Zhongdu City, and three thousand tents became temporary residences for the scholars in the south, and the court provided free meals.

The court's care for the scholars in the south once caused dissatisfaction among the scholars in the north, but the court quickly provided corresponding subsidies for the food and accommodation of the scholars in the north, and the dissatisfaction gradually faded.

That afternoon, in a tavern near Taipei City, nearly a hundred scholars filled the second floor. The noise and loud talk made the lobby extremely noisy. In the innermost remote corner, Lu Han was sitting alone at the table and drinking by himself.

He came to Zhongdu a month ago with a group of scholars from Yuzhang County. He rented a loft in a nearby inn called Shunxing for twice the price. He worked hard in the attic without leaving home every day. After a month of review, he gradually returned to his state before the imperial examination last year. Finally, he breathed a sigh of relief and went out to take a walk to learn about the situation of the imperial examination this year.

At this time, a gentle laugh came from beside him, "Brother, can anyone sit on the opposite seat?"

When Lu Han looked up, he saw a young man with a smile on his face standing beside him. He was of medium figure, about the early twenties, with big ears and a handsome appearance. Lu Han immediately had a good impression of him and waved his hand and smiled, "Please sit down!"

The young scholar sat down and smiled and said, "I came a little late today. I didn't have a seat after searching for a while. There was only one empty seat on my brother's platform, so I took the liberty to disturb me."

"It's okay, drinking alone is boring, and talking is also a pleasure."

The young scholar asked the guy to serve a pot of good wine, three dishes, and put them together with Lu Han's wine and dishes. Seeing that he was quite polite, Lu Han asked with a smile: "I think my brother seems to be from the south!"

"I am from Qiantang County, Yuhang County, with the surname Chu and the name Suiliang and the courtesy name Dengshan."

"It turns out to be Brother Chu, it's a coincidence. I just went to Qiantang County last month. Did Brother Chu come from Qiantang County?"

"I'm ashamed to say that I came from Luoyang and haven't returned to my hometown for several years. Brother Tai's surname?"

"My surname is Lu, my name is Han, and my courtesy name is Moran, and I am from Zhuo County."

"So it's Brother Lu, I'm polite."

In fact, whether Chu Suiliang or Lu Han, they knew that they were famous children when they heard their hometown and surnames. However, most of the famous children were modest and self-disciplined, with a rigorous family tradition. They usually tried not to mention their own family when interacting with others, so as not to be mistaken for being arrogant.

What's more, when Lu Han and Chu Suiliang met for the first time, they were naturally careful and tried not to mention their family background to avoid embarrassment.

Chu Suiliang poured Lu Han a glass of wine and said with a smile: "This is my first time in Zhongdu. Zhongdu has a good impression of me. Not only is the city grand, but it has the atmosphere of the imperial capital in the world. Although it is slightly inferior to Luoyang, it is more vibrant than Luoyang. Especially the people are frugal, and they rarely see extravagance and waste. To be honest, even if I can't get a good exam, I don't want to go back to Luoyang."

Lu Han smiled and nodded, "My brother said a lot. Those who have been to Zhongdu will feel the generousness of Zhongdu. Whether it is the government or the civilians, they will accept the people of the world with a generous attitude. Although they are not as prosperous as Chang'an and Luoyang, it is more energetic, young, and more attractive, making people willing to grow up with it. I felt this way when I first came to Zhongdu last year."

The two laughed together, and Chu Suiliang raised his glass and said, "I drank this cup for our common feelings!"

"Okay! Cheers."

The two raised their glasses and bowed, and they all drank it all in one go. Lu Han smiled and said, "This year is indeed a good opportunity for the scholars in the South. Although the imperial examination was not taken care of, the Imperial Academy was favored by the scholars in the South. As far as I know, 70% of the places in the Imperial Academy were given to the scholars in the South this year. My brother's wish to stay in Zhongdu should have a chance to achieve."

Chu Suiliang asked quickly: "I have heard of this statement, but some people say it is just a rumor. If the court favors the scholars of the south too partially, it will trigger a confrontation between the scholars of the north and the south. I wonder if it is true or false?"

"What do you think of it?"

Chu Suiliang hesitated and said, "I think it's a big possibility. After all, the Battle of the South has just ended, and the court needs to win over the southern gentry and take care of the quota of the Imperial Academy. I think it's reasonable to be reasonable."

Lu Han gave a thumbs up, "My brother sees it thoroughly. This is not a rumor. His Highness, the King of Qi, personally decided, and 70% of the quota of the Taixue will not be changed."

Lu Han filled the wine glass and asked, "How is the situation in Luoyang now?"

Chu Suiliang shook his head and said, "I left Luoyang after Wang Shichong usurped the throne the third day. However, the Luoyang people's reaction to Wang Shichong usurped the throne was relatively calm. Perhaps because everyone knows that sooner or later there will be such a day. Luoyang is like a seriously ill person. Its only ending is to slowly die. There is no hope. Especially this time when Xiangyang replaced Hongnong, Wang Shichong made a big strategic mistake, and this incident will become the root cause of the turmoil in Luoyang."

Lu Han picked up the wine glass and smiled and said, "Why do I think Wang Shichong has eased the relationship between Li Tang, and from then on, he can get the best of both the Sui and Tang dynasties and gain the greatest benefit for himself, which may not be a bad move."

Chu Suiliang took out a Wuzhu coin from his arms and put it on the table, "Brother, do you think this is good money?"

Lu Han looked at it and laughed: "It's Kaihuang money, clean and clear handwriting, it should be good money!"

Chu Suiliang turned the money over, but the other side was covered with copper rust, which corroded the entire money side. He asked with a smile: "Do you still think it's good money?"

Lu Han was stunned. He suddenly understood what Chu Suiliang meant and smiled and said, "You mean, on one side, Wang Shichong was good at everything and seemed to have taken advantage of it, but on the other side, he destroyed the Great Wall. Is this what it means?"

Chu Suiliang nodded, "The Tang army exchanged Hongnong for Xiangyang in the name of Xiangyang to occupy the iron ore of Jiangxia. But on the other hand, pig iron is to be transported back to Chang'an, the Tang army needs to go north to Xiyang County. Isn't this just opening up the Nanxiang Road? Although the Tang army sounds nice and only rents waterways, the Tang army has already established a firm foothold in Xiangyang. It is easy to seize Xiyang County and Nanyang County. Will they really go to the waterways honestly and keep their promises? Once Xiyang County and Nanyang County are taken away by the Tang army, the Tang army will attack Luoyang in a large scale. Who will Wang Shichong ask for help? Will Your Highness the King of Qi save this untrustful and righteous person?"

Lu Han smiled, "Although Wang Shichong is hateful, I believe King Qi will definitely save Wang Shichong."

"Why?"

"That's because you don't understand His Highness, and he saved Wang Shichong, not considering Wang Shichong's interests, but considering the whole game of Northern Sui. Before Bingzhou returns to Northern Sui, Luoyang must maintain the status quo as a strategic barrier between the Sui and Tang dynasties."

Chu Suiliang pondered for a long time, suddenly stood up and fisted and said, "Listen to you, it is better to read ten years of reading. Where does Brother Lu live?"

“I live in Shunxing Inn.”

Chu Suiliang was overjoyed, "What a coincidence, I live there too. I live in Room A, fifth room on the second floor."

"I live in the attic. I came late and I finally rented the attic."

Chu Suiliang waved his hand and said, "How can people live in the attic? My room is spacious, I am the only one. Brother Lu might as well move down and live with me, how about it?"
Chapter completed!