I have a role in the heavens

Li slowly looked at the master who was deep in thought, with a hint of curiosity on his face. He stared at the teacher with gentle eyes and asked.

"Master, are you going to accept Mr. Zhao as your disciple? Let him be the thirteenth one!"

The master was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and a look of excitement flashed on his face. Then he quickly shook his head, sighed, and said.

"Forget it, I didn't protect your junior uncle back then, so why should I accept someone similar to him as my disciple?"

The master's face was full of complex expressions, and his bright eyes flashed with a hint of dimness. After thinking for a while, he slowly said to Li.

"However, you can teach him some knowledge of spiritual practice and let him embark on the path of spiritual practice. The back of the academy can also be opened to him!"

This arrangement of the Master is actually no different from accepting disciples. Most of the Master's disciples are taught by Li Manman, and the back mountain is only open to his disciples.

"Yes, students understand!"

Li slowly showed a smile on his face, bowed and said in agreement.

Since then, Zhao Wuhao has lived in the academy. He was originally a scholar taking the academy exams, but now he has become a teacher in the academy. The experience is strange and unprecedented.

The academy is divided into six subjects. According to the six arts of a gentleman, they are etiquette, music, archery, imperial examination, calligraphy, and mathematics. There is no separate painting subject, but calligraphy and painting are not divided into families. Zhao Wuhao's calligraphy is also a masterpiece, so it became the teaching subject of calligraphy. , also under the introduction of Li Manman, I got to know many teachers in the academies. The teachers in these academies have different origins. Not all of them are from the Tang Dynasty, but also from the Yan country, the Dahe Kingdom, and the Southern Jin Dynasty, but they are all from the academies. Everyone is a top talent, and their cultivation level is not weak. Many of them are great masters in the Dongxuan realm, and there are even some top masters in the world who know their fate.

Time flies by, and more than twenty days have passed. It is the day when the academy starts school. Because the college entrance examination is held on the first day of school, those who can pass the entrance examination will become a glorious student of Chang'an Academy. Candidates who can pass the entrance examination have seen the solemn opening ceremony and the true appearance of the academy. This memory will surely become an unforgettable and comforting experience in their future lives.

At five o'clock in the morning, Chang'an City became noisy. The opening of the academy was a big event for the entire Tang Empire, and even the entire world. The people of Chang'an City have been looking forward to it for many days, and all kinds of vendors have started operating in advance.

The Ministry of Etiquette has a carriage specially designed to pick up and drop off candidates preparing for the exam. Of course, if you are a candidate who is not short of money and has a wealthy family, you can also choose to rent a carriage and go alone. The carriages in the carriage shop are very concerned about the college candidates and do not dare to neglect them in the middle of the night. He would stand by at the alley, for fear of delaying the carriage-rental candidates' exams.

It was fine when we were in the East City, but as soon as the carriage entered the South City, it became difficult to move. It was the darkness of dawn, and the spacious Suzaku Street looked a bit gloomy. It was jammed with hundreds of carriages, and there was a light rain in the sky. , there are countless wheels moving on the wet bluestone floor, and how many horse hooves are kicking the rain angrily.

The carriages of the Ministry of Etiquette transporting the candidates preparing for the examination were released first. Under the command of the city gate army, the carriages of the candidates holding admission examination certificates also struggled to squeeze out a bloody road and formed a long queue along the Drum Tower towards the Suzaku Gate. Today's The most important people were those preparing for the exams at Chang'an City Academy. Those officials from various ministries and even the carriages of royal family members who attended the opening ceremony were squeezed to the side. As for the wealthy businessmen and scholars who bought tickets to watch the excitement, even more He was unceremoniously pushed to the rear.

Candidates are more important than officials, and more important than the wealthy businessmen who can bring tax revenue to the empire. This may seem unimaginable, but it is a fact, and looking at those quiet luxurious carriages and the accompanying guards with normal expressions, one can imagine the past countless years. , the academy looked like this when it started.

Candidates taking the academy exam sat nervously in the carriage, lifting the curtains from time to time to look at what was going on around them. Their slightly nervous and anxious mood gradually calmed down. When the carriage finally drove out of the south gate of Chang'an City, it headed south along the spacious official road. As we set off towards the soaring mountains in the clouds, we felt a sense of awe in our hearts.

The spring rain is still pouring down, but the high mountain that rises abruptly from the Hewei plain is not affected at all, because the mountain peak is clear and bright before, and the mountain peak is above the rain clouds, projected by the rising sun. The brilliance is reflected by the cliffs, spreading out patches of light to the world, and it feels very warm.

South of Chang'an, under the mountains, is the academy. It is the academy that has gone through thousands of years of ups and downs and still has no name. It is older than the Tang Empire and has trained countless sages and famous officials for the Tang Dynasty and the world. It is not mysterious but almost divine.

Dozens of carriages arrived at the foot of the mountain one after another, and the chatter and laughter in those carriages stopped abruptly. The students who came to consult did not feel any pressure from the momentum, but they became silent because of the respect in their hearts.

The candidates looked at this paradise on earth and the black and white academy buildings that were not tall but stretched for an unknown number of rooms on the grassy slope. They couldn't help but feel a little lost. After a long silence, the same thought came to their minds. .

"I must be admitted to the academy this year and become a student of the academy!"

Students awaiting examinations in the academy got off the carriage one by one, lined up in front of a spacious stone terrace under the command of the officials of the Ministry of Rites and the academy teachers, and then entered the two rows of rain-covering corridors next to the terrace to rest.

The students waiting for the examination came from different places. Most of them were personally selected by the academy teachers in the villages and schools of various counties in the Tang Dynasty. The rest were recommended by various ministries and yamen. Among them, the Military Ministry alone selected more than fifty candidates. The number of people was very large. However, with so many students sitting in the rain shelter corridors on both sides of the stone flat, it didn't seem crowded at all. You can imagine how spacious the place is.

Above the stone flat is the main building of the academy, hidden in the light mist of flowers and trees. However, because the building itself is extremely tall and the two sloping corridors are like the wings of a phoenix, there is no sense of Xiaojiabiyu, but rather an inexplicable feeling. The refreshing and refreshing taste is very atmospheric.

The candidates' focus at this time is not on the appearance of the academy. If they can get into the academy, they will have plenty of time to appreciate the scenery of the academy in the future. At this time, there are probably more than 500 candidates waiting for examination in the corridor, and the academy will only admit 200. Taking two out of five is not a very high ratio, and the candidates can't help but feel a little worried.

The students waiting for the exam under the corridor covered by the rain all kept their composure, no one was chatting around, and no one took out the real test questions in their arms for the final sprint. These are all the most outstanding young people in the Tang Dynasty and even the entire world. Although some of the candidates were over thirty years old and were born as lieutenants and colonels in the army with faces full of bitterness and coldness, there were also some who were brought back to Chang'an from a rural school in some remote countryside and looked around with childlike, ignorant and uneasy faces, under the age of fourteen. A genius child, but he can still be regarded as a young man, and no one wants to show his lack of confidence at this time.

Suddenly, a burst of solemn palace music sounded around Shiping. The Yulin Army arrived, the guard of honor arrived, officials from various ministries arrived, and then the spectators who paid for tickets arrived, the palace guards arrived, His Royal Highness the Prince arrived, the Empress arrived, and His Majesty the Emperor arrived When we arrived, the students waiting for exams in the rain-covering corridor stretched their waists, which were slightly aching from sitting for a long time, bowed their hands and shouted twice, "Long live the mountains."

Unlike the ill-intentioned imaginations of enemies in other countries in the world, and unlike the imaginations of some conspiracy theory paranoiacs, there was no opposition between imperial power and academies within the Tang Empire.

Only a few people know that when the emperor of the Tang Dynasty was a boy, he once studied in the academy incognito for two years. After he ascended the throne, he would come to the academy to take a break no matter how big or small the festival was. When winter came, he might even stay there for a whole month. Stay in the academy.

If the imperial power of the Tang Dynasty was really secretly afraid of or even checking the power of the academy, then the court would never put up such a big showdown when the academy opened, and the emperor would never regard the academy as his second home.

The bell at the back of the mountain was ringing loudly, which was the first call for the college entrance exam. Hundreds of students waiting for the exam in the rain-covering corridor filed out under the command of the college teacher, walked through the flat road under the main building of the college, and headed towards Walk inside the courtyard.

The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty looked at those handsome and unrestrained students, filing in under his gaze. He couldn't help stroking his beard slightly, showing a smile of satisfaction and joy. His Majesty the Emperor looked at his wife and children beside him, the ministers on both sides, and countless future pillars of the empire. He couldn't help but Feeling satisfied, he suddenly felt as if there was one less person beside him. He frowned slightly and asked a minister behind him.

"Master...still don't want to come?"

The minister was so frightened that he bowed his head to the ground and said nervously,

"The dean said that the academy entrance exam is to select talents for Your Majesty and the Empire, so he doesn't need to come forward. He has to prepare his luggage and leave in two days."

His Majesty the Emperor just remembered this matter. His face was full of regret, like a child who had done something proud but was not praised by his father. He patted the stone railing and sighed.

"I almost forgot that Master will travel earlier this year than in previous years."

His Majesty the Emperor looked back at the mountain behind the academy that seemed to be looming in the clouds and mist, and bowed in silence for a moment, very respectfully and sincerely, without a trace of reluctance or hypocrisy.

A man stood in front of hundreds of candidates and talked. The man wore a dark robe with red cuffs, hem and collar, and a large black face decorated with gold. He had a handsome face, eyebrows like swords, thin lips and a straight nose, and a lovely smile. Dear, there are occasional wrinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiles. If you look at him in a mature way, you can say that he is already forty years old. If you look at him in a young way, you can say that he is about to turn thirty. In short, he is a very charming man.

He is Li Peiyan, the second most powerful man in the Tang Empire, His Majesty the Emperor's only biological brother, and His Royal Highness the Prince with a reputation for virtuousness. Li Peiyan's gentle smile and exhortation to the candidates of the Tang Dynasty were like a spring breeze blowing by, making people feel very comfortable.

"You are all young men in the world. You need to use all your skills to cope with this entrance examination today. But you must not be too nervous. You must study hard after entering the academy. When you complete your studies, we will have countless positions in the Tang Dynasty Empire." Wait quietly, waiting for you to bring glory to the empire."

Prince Li Peiyan then looked to his left, looking at the candidates who were dressed differently from those in the Tang Dynasty, opened his arms and smiled loudly, as warm and kind as the sunshine on the ground.

"Although you are not from the Tang Dynasty, our Datang Academy has always taught people without distinction. Please do not worry about fair admissions. Moreover, if you succeed in your studies in the academy, our Datang Academy is still waiting for your service."

At this time, an examinee from Yan State mustered up the courage to have a few conversations with the Prince of Tang Dynasty. I don’t know what kind of joke the prince said, which made the extremely nervous candidates laugh out loud. Li Peiyan took advantage of it. Taking the opportunity, he laughed and talked about some interesting things, with the intention of letting everyone relax. The candidates were also aware of the fun, and no longer stood still and serious like before, rubbing their hands when they should, rubbing their waists when they should, and chatting when they should. , praise that deserves praise.

"There was indeed a wise king in the Tang Dynasty."

"His Royal Highness is as virtuous as the rumors say, like the spring breeze and clear sunshine, which makes people happy."

No one knows whether the wise king is wise or not. After all, human beings are hypocritical creatures. They like to hide their true colors and hide in the darkness. They will only reveal their true colors when they are exposed.

The bell rang for the second time, which was the last call. The academy teacher told the examination room rules with an expressionless face, but the candidates were nervous and did not remember it, because the examination room rules for the admission examination were so loose, and they were not allowed to chat or stop talking. Ask questions, but you are not allowed to tell each other the answers.

Following the sound of the bell, stepping on scattered peach petals on the bluestone slabs, students with fluttering gowns climbed up the stairs and entered each classroom to prepare for the exam. The content of the academy exam was similar to that of the Imperial Examination of the Tang Dynasty, and was divided into six subjects. : Etiquette, music, archery, royal studies, calligraphy, and mathematics are calculated separately, and then the total score is used to recruit students. In the morning of the admission examination, there was a literary test, which covered the three subjects of rituals and mathematics. The first subject was mathematics, which people in the Tang Dynasty were least good at or least willing to take care of.

It was quiet during the exam, and the window frames on the wall framed the outdoor white wall and pink plum blossoms, like peaceful and beautiful pastel paintings, creating a very suitable environment for stirring thoughts. However, after getting the mathematics ink paper, The students who were sitting upright at the table suddenly became confused and let out low sighs.

"Why is it a comprehensive question?"

Some students pulled their hair in pain and lamented.

"Are we so unlucky?"

One student's face was pale, as if he was ill, and his eyes were dull and full of despair. It seemed that the problem in front of him was enough to shroud his life future in darkness.

Because there is no strict prohibition on making noise in the examination room rules, students cannot help but express their dissatisfaction and sorrow in various ways. In the past years, the comprehensive mathematics questions in the admission examination were the most difficult, often taught by professors with doctorates in literature and general mathematics. The questions are given together, and sometimes the candidates don't even understand what the questions are really about.

Many candidates put their writing brushes on the inkstone, took a deep breath of the cool air, then opened the ink scroll, looking desperately at a question on the ink scroll, touching dozens of words, and it was written on it.

"In the spring of that year, the Master went to the country to travel and encountered the fine wines of Peach Mountain, so he went to the mountains to enjoy the peaches and taste the wine. Along the way, he picked flowers and drank wine. At first, he cut a pound of peach blossoms and drank a pot of wine. Later, the Master cherished the wine, so he cut another pound of peach blossoms. , drink only half a pot of wine, then cut a pound of peach blossoms, drink half a pot of wine, and go like this... When I reached the top of the mountain, the wine in my bag was empty, and I looked around in confusion, and asked all the students: How many pounds of peach blossoms have been cut today, and how many have been drunk? A pot of wine?"

In fact, the answer to this question is also very simple. It's just that the person who asked the question was a bit confused and made the question a bit convoluted, which made the candidates confused.

"Master drank two pots and chopped off all the peach blossoms on the mountain!"

In the morning, the literary test was completed. Mathematics was followed by calligraphy and etiquette. The bell rang again and the literary test was over. The candidates walked out of the examination room with some disinterest, ate the lunch prepared by the academy, and then began to prepare. Afternoon martial arts test.

When the candidates for the admission examination were taking the last three subjects of the martial arts test, in a spacious and clear room in the academy, the teachers were gathered together to grade the papers of the three subjects in the morning. Most of the teachers were already gray-haired and did not know what they had experienced. How many times have I been in such a scene, I am naturally not nervous, I am holding a teapot and smoking a cigarette, leisurely and leisurely, looking up from time to time to grade, and chatting with my peers. A teacher commented on the difficulty of today's test paper.

"This year's admission test was taken by a college student. He has a gentle and humble temperament, so it won't be too difficult. If the second senior brother still takes the test like last time, who knows whether there will be a large number of people crying in the examination room today?"

"It's just a matter of paying off the Book of Etiquette. This question of Mathematics is just for free points. Everyone knows that the Master is an alcoholic. He would turn half of a pot and half of it into a drop. Does the Master still want to use his sword to turn that drop of wine?" Cut into half a drop? There are so many candidates who answered such a simple math question incorrectly. I really don’t know how their brains work!"

A teacher had a look of curiosity on his face and asked the senior teacher.

"It's not easy to say it's simple, but what I'm more concerned about is, how many bottles of wine did Master drink when he first entered Xiling Mountain when he traveled to China? How many kilograms of peach blossoms did he cut?"

Hearing this, a distinguished old teacher showed a proud smile on his face and said proudly.

"The master drank seven large pots of wine that spring and plucked all the peach blossoms on the Xiling Mountain."

"But there is a legend that it was the Master who was drinking, but there was another person who pulled out all the peach blossoms in Xiling. He was the Junior Master who traveled with the Master. I also feel that the Master is elegant and would never do this to the Junior Master. Uncle's violent temper is more suitable."

When the words "little master uncle" were mentioned, the teachers were silent for a moment, then returned to normal, and someone said with a smile.

"But those peach trees on the lawn of our academy were planted by Master with his own hands. Every time the old Taoist priests from Xiling Haotian Temple come here, their faces are as ugly as a dead mother. I really think Master is quite sinister! "

The academy teachers in the marking room burst out laughing, mocking the Xiling Temple, the most sacred place in the world. For them, it seemed like a daily routine entertainment activity, and the laughter seemed very arrogant. It must be said that the academy in the south of Chang'an City is really a What a wonderful place.

Among this group of teachers, there was a young teacher who was not a weakling. He had a handsome appearance and a thoughtful expression on his face. He listened to what others said without interrupting and acted very silent.

"Ke Haoran?!"

At dusk, His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress had returned to Chang'an City, leaving only His Highness the Prince and the chief officials of the ministries to preside over the remaining sessions. The six-subject examination was finally over, and it was time to release the results.

Hundreds of candidates stood quietly on the large stone flat, standing on tiptoes and looking up at the empty shadow wall, like hundreds of geese stretching their long necks after starving for several days. , waiting to be fed.

Several academy teachers walked out slowly from the building and bowed slightly to His Royal Highness. After being confirmed by the officials of the Ministry of Etiquette, the teachers stepped on the wooden table, dragged a bucket of rice pulp, and randomly pasted a big red paper on the shadow. on the wall.