Chapter 2: A Dimly Lit Path Ahead

"Take a look at the guide." Gao Wen took a piece of paper from a passerby and examined it for a long time: "Oh, a person from Hejin, Shanxi, what brings you to Hancheng?"

Not only has he become more than ten years younger, but he also possesses a healthy body. How can this not be a source of inexplicable joy? From this perspective, it can be said that fate has not been unkind to him.

In fact, after traveling to the Ming Dynasty, whatever Gao Wen does is merely a means of survival. Everyone is born with their own talents, and with his abilities and foresight regarding history, he is bound to thrive in the future.

Once you achieve success, there will be merchants who attach their family businesses to you, and each year, just from the commissions you earn, you will be well-provided for. Moreover, if you perform well and are selected for the county or provincial academy, the state will provide you with monthly stipends and rations, allowing you to live off public funds

In fact, towards the later years of the Yongle period, the local militias had already been abolished and incorporated into the inspection offices. However, in Shaanxi, due to its location at the three borders and being the frontline of the Ming Dynasty's border defense, this semi-militarized organization was still retained

In this battle, the Son of Heaven of the Ming Dynasty also became a captive of the Wala army

Coincidentally, this person is also named Gao Wen, hailing from Hancheng in Xi'an Prefecture, Shaanxi Province. Thus, it spares him the trouble of others being unable to recall his name after calling it out for a long time. Moreover, what pleases Gao Wen the most is that this individual is only eighteen years old, likely having engaged in physical labor for an extended period. He is tall and long-armed, with a healthy and well-proportioned physique, not to mention his very handsome features. If it weren't for his skin being darkened from years of exposure to the northern sun, he would indeed have a bit of a youthful charm.

He simply waved his hand as he spoke

Do you not see, the waters of the Yellow River come from the heavens, rushing to the sea and never returning? Li Taibai does not deceive me. Here, the scenery is indeed different from that of the southern water towns; without going to the northern lands, one cannot comprehend the vastness of the world

However, after this battle, nearly the entire military merit group of the nobility was completely captured by Ye Xian. Consequently, the civil official group began to dominate, taking full control of the national government. Even the emperor found himself powerless against them, often being scolded harshly by the civil officials without being able to retaliate.

After glancing at the person's silhouette, I turned my head and habitually squinted my eyes to gaze at the distant Yellow River. Although I had been at this checkpoint for five days, I had already become familiar with this torrent that flows from all corners of the world. Yet, each time I see it, I am still moved and exhilarated by the surging and tumultuous currents.

The money amounts to no more than 10 coins, which is equivalent to the appearance of 10 modern coins. The copper coins of the Ming Dynasty had a low copper content, and when calculated, they are worth only about 6 or 7 yuan, sufficient to purchase a kilogram of rice, which would be enough for a day's sustenance.

Gao Wen sighed and thought, "It has been five days since I arrived in this unfamiliar time and space. Today, I have finally come to my senses. Hey... this is quite interesting!"

The situation is as follows: In June of this year, the leader of the Mongol Wala tribe, Yeshin, launched a large-scale invasion into the territory of the Ming Dynasty. Encouraged by the eunuch Wang Zhen, the Yongle Emperor Zhu Qizhen disregarded the advice of his ministers and ordered his younger brother Zhu Qiyu to remain behind, personally leading a large army to confront the enemy

For the bureaucratic elite, or rather for the intellectual class, this is a golden age

However, upon further reflection, Gao Wen suddenly shook his head with a wry smile: "Unfortunately, this path must come to an end. What should I do next?"

When the imperial army reached Datong in August and heard the news of the defeat at the front, Wang Zhen decided to retreat. Upon retreating to Tumu Fortress, he was surrounded by the army led by Yeshen. The troops suffered heavy casualties, Wang Zhen was killed, and the emperor was captured by Yeshen. At the same time, the Minister of War, Kuang Ye, the Minister of Revenue, Wang Zuo, and sixty-six other ministers died in battle.

The fields after the autumn harvest are desolate, with the wind howling as it carries the unique fishy scent of the Yellow River

As a child of a poor family, pursuing education and entering officialdom can be said to be the only means to change one's personal destiny. Without the imperial examination, the path ahead suddenly becomes much less promising

The so-called militia was first established during the Hong period. In the early years of the Wu dynasty, the local government offices were primarily responsible for military tasks, which included defending the city, guarding granaries, treasuries, and prisons, as well as conducting military training. However, as peace prevailed for an extended period, military drills became merely formalities, and no one mentioned them anymore. The militia was only used for strict inspections and the capture of intruding bandits.

Thinking of this, he hurriedly slipped a small handful of coins into the hands of the little officer in front of him, flattering him by saying: "Sir, a little tea money, I hope you will accept it graciously"

This era name may still be unfamiliar to the average person, but when it comes to the Incident at Tumu Fortress, it resonates loudly with anyone who has a bit of historical knowledge

When later generations mention scholars, they often immediately associate them with the terms "poor scholar" and "sour scholar." In fact, during the Ming Dynasty, while scholars might have been somewhat pedantic and a bit sour, they were certainly not poor; it was even difficult to be poor if one wished to be. Once you passed the examination and became a shengyuan, you were considered a person of status. Not only could you meet officials without bowing, but you were also exempt from all taxes and corvée labor, effectively entering the ruling class.

It turns out that Gao Wen's current identity is that of a local militia member in Hancheng County

It is precisely dusk, and the autumn sun is particularly fiery red, casting its afterglow upon the rushing waters. The entire Yellow River seems like molten copper, emitting a brilliant light that illuminates the sky and the landscape thoroughly.

This year is the 14th year of the Zhengtong era. As for the rest, the previous Gao Wen is unknown. For an ordinary citizen's child, the entire world is merely the small expanse of sky above Han Cheng.

The officials in the yamen are not so easy to deal with; if one is not careful, they can send you back to where you came from, making today's trip a wasted effort. If one truly provokes them, they might treat you like a vagrant and have you captured, which would undoubtedly lead to suffering.

In the past, the Ming Dynasty implemented a political system characterized by military leadership by nobility, governance by civil officials, and a mutual check and balance between civil and military officials. Additionally, these nobles, who held command over the military, were often descendants of royal relatives and meritorious subjects from the Jingnan campaign, thus wielding significant power, leaving civil officials with little voice in the political arena

It is quite unfortunate that the people of the Min community rely on public provisions, and during the Ming Dynasty, they were classified as a type of clerical staff, rendering themselves and their descendants ineligible for the imperial examination

Certainly, the task of apprehending criminals is handled by the three classes of officials. When they are truly unable to capture someone, there is always the military. Thus, the role of the local militia is to clean the streets and check travel permits; in essence, they serve as both sanitation workers and urban management personnel

The person made several attempts to offer it again, but upon seeing that Gao Wen was determined not to accept, he finally expressed his gratitude a few times and left with a cupped-hand salute

As a graduate of a prestigious 985 university, and later someone who has engaged in long-term research in history and Classical Chinese, this era seems to have been tailor-made for him. With the study methods and reading habits of modern individuals, after a few years of study, while one may not dare to claim the titles of juren or jinshi, the title of xiucai is still within reach.

After capturing the emperor, he first held a unique bargaining chip and extorted the court

"Liao Sanye, I know, I know, what is this for? We are all from the same village, how can I use your money?" Gao Wen hurriedly shoved the copper coins back, saying, "If this gets out, how will I face people in the future? Hurry up, hurry up, if we delay, I fear we won't be able to enter the city gate before dark"

Indeed, this Gao Wen is the editor of the publishing house who succumbed to a cerebral hemorrhage in modern society. It is unclear why, but after his death, a fragment of his soul drifted aimlessly in the void and unexpectedly possessed the body of an ordinary commoner from the Ming Dynasty.

At this time, the Minister of War, Yu Qian, along with civil and military officials and internal and external ministers, supported Zhu Qiyu in claiming the throne, thwarting Ye Xian's attempts to extort the Ming Dynasty

According to the words of the official, there is a maternal uncle of mine who resides in Tianshui Alley, Chengguan, Hancheng, with the surname Liao. In two days, it will be his sixtieth birthday. The common people cross the river to visit, not as refugees. The man crossing the river carries a small bundle on his back, with river water still clinging to his hair. He appears to be around forty years old, likely due to a life of hardship, his face covered in wrinkles, making him look quite aged. Yet, in front of the young Gao Wen, who is just coming of age, he still respectfully addresses him as "official".