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In the past few years, many former scholars who were not qualified to be officials have started to take new courses.Then, he was invited by a wealthy family to be a private teacher, giving his children extra lessons with a high salary.In this way, the academic performance of the rich and noble children will leave the poor children behind as a whole.

Compared with the past, there are more and more students from wealthy families in the examination results of various provinces.

What Chen Maosheng can do is to advance his age so that poor children can be educated earlier.

There was another phenomenon that made Chen Maosheng very helpless.

Local officials are getting looser and looser on the issue of children.In other mountainous areas, even in the county town, because of the abolition of free lunch, many children did not come to study, and the local government completely turned a blind eye.

When Chen Maosheng was the minister of the Ministry of Rites, in addition to formulating general strategies, he could only manage the inside and outside of Nanjing.

He often travels in low clothes, wandering around in and out of the city.Once it is found that school-age children are not studying, some officials will be punished. Chen Maosheng ordered three chiefs of rites in Jiangning and Shangyuan counties to be dismissed one after another.

This incident made the local officials in Nanjing complain endlessly. The head of the etiquette department in charge of education, the first thing he did when he took office was to check for missing children.Those who are over ten years old don't need to worry about it. Those under ten years old must study. Whoever doesn't let their children study will have the county magistrate severely punish their parents.

Today, inside and outside Nanjing, the enrollment rate of school-age children under the age of ten is not 70.00%, [-]% is definitely there.

But the quality of education is getting worse and worse, because there are too many students.

In the city of Nanjing, the number of schools keeps increasing, and the classrooms are filled to the brim.There are dozens of people in a class, and the teacher can't take care of them at all. Many schools in the low-level neighborhoods are purely sheep-herding, and the teachers don't bother to care about sleeping in class.

But, no matter how foolish you are, after three years of reading, it is still possible to write letters in vernacular, and reading vernacular is not a problem at all.

The direct result of such education is that popular books in Nanjing are selling well.

Most of the children who finished school went to work as apprentices, or to find other jobs.It's hard to earn some wages, and you haven't got a family yet, and you don't have any other entertainment, so let's read the newspapers.

Book rental shops have appeared in Nanjing, and you can rent them back after paying a deposit.

It is even possible to rent newspapers for very low rent.They are all market tabloids, full of vernacular articles, and even serialized popular ones.

In the entire Jinling Mansion, tabloid newspapers in the market have developed in a blowout manner, and including those that have closed down, more than 40 have opened one after another.And there are celebrity gossip news, such and such a brothel has selected the oiran, and which famous actor has appeared in Goulan or a theater, etc. Young people who don't read much but can read like to watch this kind of news.

Chapter 718 [Milton's visit to China]

An inland ship, carrying a British delegation to China.

The British mission is relatively shabby, with only a dozen people in total.And it didn't come by warship, because the British mainland was planning a sea battle with the Netherlands, and there was no warship to escort the envoys.

They sailed on merchant ships of the British East India Company, resupplying at Portuguese colonial ports along the way.After arriving in India, they heard that Malacca had been captured by China. The British cheered and immediately went to Malacca for exchanges.

Then, the British merchant ship docked in Banten to do business, and the British mission was escorted northward by the Datong Navy.

The representative of the British Mission is called John Milton, whose works include: "Paradise Lost", "On the Freedom of the Press", "On Education", "On the Powers of Kings and Officials" and so on.

Milton was Cromwell's teacher and actively promoted revolution and democracy.

After Cromwell came to power, Milton served as his foreign affairs secretary.Milton was in charge of all the British diplomatic correspondence, and by the way he was writing with the aristocrats who opposed Cromwell.

Britain's mission to China this time was of a somewhat personal nature, and Cromwell directly threw over his foreign secretary.

"Mr. John, the Chinese came and said that Nanjing is coming soon, let us prepare." Deputy envoy Andrew Marvell knocked on the door and entered.

Andrew Marvell, a famous British metaphysics poet, Cromwell's boyish tutor, currently serves as Milton's Latin secretary.

Milton put down his quill, hung up his glasses and said, "Then get ready to disembark."

Marvell said with a smile: "The mission of this mission is to persuade China to go to war with the Netherlands, weaken the strength of the Netherlands in Asia, and order the Dutch headquarters to send more warships to support Asia. This mission is over before it starts. China and the Netherlands have already After two games, the strength of the Netherlands in the Far East has been weakened to the extreme. The two of us only need to meet the Chinese emperor, and we can concentrate on enjoying exotic customs."

Milton shook his head: "Our navy is still too weak. It is best to provoke another war between China and the Netherlands."

"I'm afraid this is unrealistic," said Marvell. "China and the Netherlands have just signed a ten-year truce, and neither side will take the risk of tearing up the contract."

"Try it." Milton is a workaholic. If he is not sent to China, he will be blinded by working day and night next year.

The Yangtze River Navy sent the British mission to the pier, and some people went to the city to report to Honglu Temple, and the officials of Honglu Temple would welcome the foreign envoys into the city.

Before the officials from Honglu Temple came, Milton and the others were waiting at the pier.

More than a dozen dock cranes are working, and workers pull pulleys to drag heavy objects onto the ship.There are more dock coolies behind, carrying boxes of goods, and there is a busy scene everywhere.

"Everyone, please wait in front, don't block at the pier." Said the translator of the Navy.

The crowd continued to move forward, and there were many people carrying sliding poles here.In fact, it is a "taxi", and the "drivers" are gathering together to wait for business.

Where is bragging and laughing from time to time.

A sliding pole carried passengers from the city to the pier.

Guests get off the sedan chair to pay, and go straight to the riverside to wait for the boat.The two lifters also got together with other "drivers".Due to the relatively crowded surroundings, they can only wait there to pick up customers, and they will be fined for staying outside the border to entertain guests.

"Little scholar is here, read the newspaper to us!"

Of the two people who lifted the slider just now, one of them was a boy in his teens, and he immediately became the center of attention.

The boy took out a newspaper from his pocket and rented it for a penny a day.After carefully unfolding, the boy began to shake his head and read the newspaper: "The big news in this issue is that Young Master Yang Er, the head of the young troupe of the Chunlan Club, insisted on marrying Xiao Hongtao, a famous actor in the Kun troupe of his own drama club. Even taking concubines is a must. To be married as a regular wife. Master Yang was not happy about it, so Second Young Master Yang eloped with Xiao Hongtao. The two had eloped for almost a month before the news came out, and no one has been found yet."

This young man obviously belonged to the cattle herding class. He was the kind who didn't study hard, and had to guess even when he read the newspaper.Otherwise, graduates from elementary school would not be able to earn a living carrying a sliding pole.

When the "taxi drivers" heard the news, they immediately talked about it:

"Master Yang is also a respectable person. My son elopes with the opera singer. This time, it will be embarrassing."

"Hey, then Young Master Yang is still a lover."

"I've heard of Little Hongtao's play. Last year Li Yuanwai had a big birthday, so I invited Little Hongtao to sing. Liu Er and I took Mr. Zhang to Li's Mansion, and I listened to it for a while, and the singing made my heart tremble. If you call on the bed Get up, just listen to that voice, and half the life of the man will be killed. Unlike my wife, who screams like a pig."

"Haha, Brother Zhou, do you dare to tell your sister-in-law?"

"Why don't you dare? I have the final say at home!"

"Then who scratched your face two days ago?"

"Cat scratched."

"Ha ha ha ha…

Milton asked the naval interpreter, "What do they do?"

The interpreter said: "That kind of bamboo pole is used as a sedan chair, which can carry guests on the road. Depending on the distance, the guest pays the toll."

Milton was so surprised that he turned his head and looked at Marvell.

They were not surprised by the sliding pole, but that the person carrying the sliding pole, who obviously belonged to the bottom of society, had the ability to read and read newspapers.

Milton pointed to the young man, and asked again, "Since he can read, why does he still want to do this job?"

The interpreter sneered: "At first glance, it seems that they are not good at studying. After finishing elementary school, it is easy to find a job. No matter how bad it is, you can also be an apprentice. Many businesses are willing to recruit elementary school students as apprentices."

The translator spoke in Latin, and didn't know how to translate "elementary school", so he directly spoke the original Chinese pronunciation.

Milton could only inquire carefully before he knew that China was divided into primary schools, middle schools, and universities.As long as they reach the age, no matter boys or girls, they must go to school to study, and there is no tuition fee.If you want to take the county-level civil servant exam, you must graduate from elementary school at least.

"Let all children study for free, how much should China spend on education every year?" Milton was shocked to the extreme.

In fact, primary school completion rates are very low.

Many children can't read books, and often drop out of school after one year. In this case, they can't even read newspapers.The dropout rate of girls is particularly high. Many parents do not allow them to continue studying, thinking that it is enough for their daughters to be able to write their own names.For this situation, the government is happy to see the results. The more dropouts, the more pressure on education funding can be reduced.

Otherwise, if all the children in Nanjing were in the school, how many classrooms would have to be repaired?

Shocked by the British envoys, Honglu Temple finally sent officials to receive them and lead them into the city in a carriage.The horse is a bad horse, and all the good horses are sent to war.

"Dang Dang Dang Dang!"

Milton heard the sound of the gong beating, opened the curtain of the car, and saw an official walking and shouting: "The golden building outside the south city has been completed yesterday.

NO.15 of this month is open to the public.Those who like to read and are willing to read can go to the Golden Building to read!Your Majesty said, you don't need money to read books, you can read them as you like! "

Milton couldn't understand, so he could only ask the interpreter: "What is he shouting?"

The translator understood, but he didn't understand what the Golden Building was.Immediately jumped off the fast-moving carriage and ran to ask the Honglu Temple officials who led the team.

Soon, the translator came back and explained: "His Majesty the emperor of our country built a collection with royal expenses. There are a lot of books in it. It was just completed yesterday, and all ordinary people can read the books in it for free. The daily expenses of the collection are also in charge of the emperor's majesty." .”

Milton suddenly said excitedly: "This is a public library, but unfortunately there is no such library in the UK, nor does it seem to exist in Europe."

Marvell said: "His Majesty the Emperor of China should be the legendary philosopher king. The country he ruled is full of scholars, and ordinary people can study and read books for free. I really hope that one day, Britain can do the same."

Everyone was arranged in the Fan embassy, ​​and a special translator was in charge of contacting them, and they could go out at any time if they wanted to go shopping.

But, if you want to see the emperor, you have to wait slowly.

Early the next morning, Milton couldn't bear it anymore and asked the translator to take them shopping.

The general officer of Honglu Temple is not a high-ranking official, but a first-class official, and he must master at least two foreign languages.Although he is only an official, he is also considered a cultural person, so he naturally would not take the envoys to Goulan Washe, and would go straight to the Cultural Goods Street every time.

When he came back at night, Milton took out a quill and wrote in his "Visit to China":

"Today, Chinese diplomats took us to Wenyi Street. It is a half-mile-long street. The shops on the street sell all kinds of literature and art supplies. There are exquisite books, magical Chinese calligraphy and paintings, and Paper, ink, etc..."

"There are many people on the street, and they are all literate. Some people wear silk, but more people wear ordinary cotton clothes. The books here are very cheap, and ordinary people can afford them. There are many popular books, and the lower class people also like to read them. But I heard from Chinese diplomats that ordinary people prefer to rent books. There are bookstores in Nanjing, which set different rents according to the value of the books. If the damage is too serious, the deposit will not be refunded..."

"We seem to be in the ocean of literature and art, with books and paintings everywhere. For European scholars, this street is heaven,

They must have never dreamed..."

"I asked a Chinese official, and he said that the best-selling book in China, in addition to the ancient Four Books and Five Classics, is the "Datong Ji" compiled by the Chinese emperor today. I asked a Chinese friend to translate a few articles for me to read, so I can be sure , the Emperor of China was a democratic revolutionary"

"The Chinese emperor's legitimacy does not come from the church, but from the 'sky'. The sky is not only the sky above our heads, but also the origin of all things. The Chinese regard it as the master of everything. Heaven and earth, derived from human beings and all things, human beings are The elves in the world form the country of China. The country needs a leader, so there is an emperor. The emperor who is kind to the people will be recognized by the sky and become the son of heaven. The emperor who is cruel to the people will be disgusted by the sky. He will be overthrown..."

“Everything is people-centered, isn’t that what democracy is?”

Milton has been pursuing natural human rights, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of education, and freedom of marriage all his life.Totally obsessed with this stuff

"Datong Collection" and believed that the Chinese emperor was a revolutionary.

However, after he finishes reading "The Collection of Datong", he probably won't be so happy.

Zhao Han's theory of dividing land conflicts with Milton's democracy.Because it was the landowner's field, and Milton believed that personal property was sacrosanct.

Of course, Milton can also ignore it. He has decided to translate "The Collection of Great Harmony" and delete the theory of dividing the land at that time.

Chapter 719 [What is the concept of a big country]

Milton's reputation in later generations is too great, and it is difficult for Zhao Han not to know.

The pioneer of the democratic revolution in Europe, one of the six greatest British poets, and the patriarch who advocated freedom of speech and the press.

"See His Majesty the Emperor!"

"Give a seat."

As soon as Milton sat down, he stood up again: "On behalf of the Republic of England and the respected Commander-in-Chief Mr. Cromwell, I would like to extend my highest greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of China. May the friendship between the two countries last forever!"

Zhao Han said with a smile, "Say hello to Mr. Cromwell on my behalf."

What Milton said just now was not nonsense.

After the King of England was cut off, the country was ruled by Parliament. In fact, Britain is indeed a republic.

Milton could not have predicted that it was Cromwell, whom he had always admired and upheld, who destroyed the Republic and completely betrayed the revolution.He devoted himself to Cromwell, but in two years, Cromwell will disperse Parliament and rule as a dictatorship as "Lord Protector".

Milton: "Your Majesty the Emperor, there are stories of His Majesty's great restoration of the country in Britain and even in the whole of Europe. Mr. Cromwell, Commander-in-Chief of our country, has always admired His Majesty's reputation, so let me lead a mission to visit China."

Zhao Han asked with great interest: "What kind of stories are I spreading in Europe?"

Milton: "Your Majesty is a former royal family who lost their country. The emperor of China was so brutal that the rebels captured the capital and the emperor was killed by the rebels. However, your majesty raised troops as a former royal family and defeated the hateful The rebels, finally restored the glory of the ancestors."

"It can be made up," Zhao Han couldn't help laughing, and said to Tongshi, "There is no need to translate this sentence, just follow him as you like."

The general officer of Honglu Temple nonsense said: "Your Majesty, the news from Europe is very well-informed."

Milton flattered a few words, and said: "I was in India and heard the news that the Chinese army defeated the Netherlands. This is really exciting. Britain and China have the same enemy, and that is the damn Netherlands. Heartfelt congratulations, Your Majesty, and His valiant army."

Zhao Han asked, "Britain is also at war with the Netherlands?"

Milton replied: "There must be a war. The Netherlands is too greedy. They have merchant ships all over every sea area in Europe. They want to monopolize all the benefits. They even control the business in the UK and use the threat of loan collection to force the British Give up what should belong to your own rights."

"It shouldn't be," Zhao Han went on, "the Netherlands is doing the same thing in Asia, even occupying China's territory, massacring and oppressing the Chinese living in Taiwan. That's why I sent troops to drive the Dutch out of Taiwan. The Netherlands is the most Despicable country!"

Milton said happily: "Our country can go to war with the Netherlands in Europe, and China can go to war with the Netherlands in Asia. The little Netherlands will definitely not be able to fight on both sides. At that time, Your Majesty will be able to drive the Netherlands out of Asia!"

Zhao Han said: "Unfortunately, China and the Netherlands have signed a ten-year contract. As the emperor of China, I cannot break the promise. It is despicable to tear up the contract."

"Teach those despicable Dutchmen a lesson, and you won't appear despicable by any means." Milton continued to fight.

Zhao Han said ambiguously: "That's true, but China's previous wars have caused heavy naval losses. Britain can fight in Europe first, and China will respond."

This is nonsense. With the existing communication technology, it is estimated that the first Anglo-Dutch war is over, and China has not received the news yet.

At this moment, Cromwell has just promulgated the "Navigation Regulations", the general content: Non-British ships are not allowed to carry goods into the United Kingdom and its colonies. Once discovered, the ship and the goods will be confiscated directly.

This regulation is obviously to fight against the Netherlands, because the British import trade is about to be monopolized by Dutch businessmen.