Fenghou

In fact, the imperial examinations of all dynasties have been like this. On the one hand, it is a test of literary talent, and on the other hand, it is a test of will. In fact, this Jingzhao imperial examination is not bad. It only takes two days, and the time is not long.

'Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom! 'The second drum sounded, and the invigilator shouted loudly at the door of the tent: "Everyone pay attention, the question has come in."

All the scholars became nervous, only to see a soldier walking in holding a card with today's topic on it. The invigilator read it aloud twice, and everyone copied it on the manuscript paper. Account, if the scholar does not remember, he can raise his hand and ask the invigilator.

The topic is very simple, which made all the scholars feel relieved and felt that they could perform well. Who hasn't written a few poems expressing their ambitions?

But many smart scholars began to worry, which means that tomorrow's countermeasures will be difficult, otherwise the gap will not be widened. Some people think of the importance of calligraphy and neatness of the scroll, and I am afraid that if they make a little modification, they will fail the ranking.

At this time, the invigilator began to hand out the test papers. He reminded: "Everyone, it is best to write your name, test number, and table number first, and paste the name, or someone will forget it in the end, but I remind you again, the table number should not be written. paste, otherwise there will be no complete test paper."

What does the table number mean?Because it takes two days to take the test, and the test papers for both days are handed in on the same day, how do you combine the test papers for the two days?It depends on the table number.

For example, Chao Qing's table number is 240, which means that he is the seventh exam room, number [-], someone will find two test papers with the same table number and merge them together.

Then someone will definitely say, if you tell the examiner the desk number tonight, won't you know whose test paper it is?

Of course it was impossible, the desk number was compiled the day before the exam, and it was pasted on the desk the night before the exam, and the examiner had been quarantined long ago, so they couldn't be contacted at all.

Of course, the wisdom of candidates is infinite. Maybe someone will tell a certain examiner in advance that I will leave three ink dots in the lower left corner of the test paper, but how do you know that the examiner is just examining your paper?And deliberately leaving a mark will be regarded as a waste paper.

Therefore, since ancient times, the most effective way to cheat is to leak the questions in advance and take the exam for others. In fact, it is very difficult to take the exam for someone else.

And once it is found out, the test taker will be dismissed, which is extremely risky, unless the price is undeniable.

Chao Qing nominated to write his name and test number on the front of the roll, and then brushed the paste on the paper. This is the basic skill that every scholar must train. Those who have a certain skill in pasting their names cannot stick their names. Otherwise, the name and test number will be torn up, and it will become an unnamed test paper.

The paste can only be wiped around the edge of the note, and then carefully pasted after the ink dries, but the candidates have been using their names for the exam since they were young, and they are already familiar with it, and basically there will be no problems.

It took a long time to paste the name. After the name was pasted, the third drum sounded and the exam officially started.

Chao Qing Yongzhi wrote a lot of poems, but now he was asked to take out one, but he was a little hesitant. He suddenly found that he couldn't come up with every poem he wrote.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally took up his pen and wrote a poem that he wrote on Laijingzhao Road half a month ago. It has been ten years since the first year of Jingkang, and that night left him with a lot of emotion.

"Sapphire Case·Ten Years Festival"

I haven't seen Tokyo Road for ten years.Don't go in a hurry, how can the autumn wind and rain survive.Have a drink in the open window, talk in the dim light, it is best to linger.

Why do you hurt Chi Mu when you meet again? It's like dancing with a sword.Where does Juye's family go?There are many times in the letter, there is no hero to find, only the country remains the same.

……

"Chao Qing, how did you do in the exam?" Chong Huan and Su Ce came up to the exam room and asked.

Chao Qing shook his head in frustration, "The words I wrote are too thin, not thick enough, or too young to write with the momentum of swallowing thousands of miles like a tiger."

"Old Zhong and I are actually the same, I'm hungry, let's eat first! Let's talk while eating."

The three of them ate less breakfast, they were all hungry, and they couldn't find an ox cart, so they simply found a small tavern on the side of the road, ordered a few dishes, and ordered three plates of meat buns. I want a jug of turbid wine.

The tavern was full of hungry scholars who had difficulty finding a small table.

But luckily, as soon as they sat down, the waiter brought up three plates of freshly steamed steamed buns. The three wolfed down the three plates of steamed buns, and the waiter brought food and wine. Then the three began to drink and chat.

"I found that today's imperial examination questions are a trap!"

Su Ce punched the table hard, and countless scholars looked at him in surprise.

"Xiao Su, you didn't drink too much, did you?" Zhong Huan said with a smile.

"You will understand after listening to me. The topic of today's poem is very simple. You can express your feelings by borrowing objects, or expressing your feelings by borrowing scenery. Poems or words can be used. We have been studying to this day, and who has written dozens of poems. At this time , will you still write new poems?"

"No, it must be using the poems from the past."

"That's the problem. If our poems were written well before, we would have been famous long ago. It is precisely because our poems were mediocre that we participated in the imperial examination in obscurity. The poems in the final test paper were still mediocre."

Everyone understood, and it was because the title was too simple that they couldn't write new ideas, and they all took out the mediocre works of the past to make up the number.

Chao Qing nodded, "You are right, at least I feel better, so what does that mean?"

"It shows that the proportion of poetry and prose is very low, maybe only [-]%, the key is tomorrow's countermeasures, which is the key to whether we can pass the exam."

At this time, a hearty laugh came from outside the store: "This scholar is right, I might as well tell everyone that poetry accounts for [-]%, Fu accounts for [-]%, countermeasures account for [-]%, and calligraphy accounts for [-]%. "

who is this!Talking so grandly, not afraid to flash their tongues, everyone looked out of the store, and saw a tall man standing outside the store, wearing a blue cloth robe and gauze cap, about 30 years old, with a chin. He has a short beard, a square face with sword eyebrows, sharp eyes, and he is not angry. He is followed by a large group of cavalry.

No one knew this man, and Chao Qing's face turned pale.

The man nodded to Chao Qing with a smile, and continued: "Don't indulge yourself tonight, rest early, and recharge your spirits for the exam tomorrow. Tomorrow is the real test for everyone."

After the man finished speaking, he got on his horse and left.

Everyone was discussing, "Who is this! Dressed so shabby, and still pointing us out."

"Don't talk nonsense, with so many soldiers guarding him, he should be a high-ranking general."

"It's just nonsense, what kind of imperial examination does a general know?"

Seeing that Chao Qing's expression was not right, Chong Huan asked, "Chao Qing, do you know the one just now?"

Chao Qing nodded, he sighed, stood up and said in a loud voice: "Everyone, please be polite! The one just now is Qin Guogong, Chen Qing, the Xuanfu envoy of Sichuan and Shanxi, and he gave the imperial examination questions."

There was a sudden silence in the tavern, and everyone was stunned.

Chapter 635 Trading

In the inn room, Zhong Huan and Su Ce looked at Chao Qing with dissatisfaction. They were not fools. Chao Qing kept saying that he had not seen Chen Qing, but today they saw clearly that Chao Qing had not only met Chen Qing, but also had a relationship with him. Familiar, otherwise he wouldn't be so abnormal, is this still a good friend?Such important things are hidden from myself.

"I'm not trying to hide from you!"

Chao Qing was a little embarrassed and said: "My eldest brother is still an official in the court, and my father is also waiting for a vacancy in the court. If this matter gets out, it will have a great impact on them, and I am also afraid of being misunderstood. In the imperial examination, others will say that I rely on connections."

Zhong Huan was silent for a moment and said: "If you find it inconvenient, then don't say it."

"No! I still want to say it, at least I want to tell you, I just hope you will keep it a secret for me."

"It's okay to keep it secret, what is it?" The fire of gossip in Su Ce's heart was ignited.

Chong Huan also looked at Chao Qing expectantly, saying that he was not curious would be a lie, Chao Qing actually knew Chen Qing, what kind of relationship would they have?

Chao Qing said in a low voice: "I actually know Mrs. Xuan Fushi, she is Lu Yihao's granddaughter, and my aunt is her mother."

"Ms. Lu is your cousin?" Su Ce was the first to react.

Chong Huan also realized, isn't it just the same as that Lin Jianqing?Of course, the class was much higher. Lin Jianqing's cousin was Chen Qing's concubine, while Chao Qing's cousin was Chen Qing's wife.

"Have you been in touch?"

Chao Qing shook his head, "We haven't seen each other for ten years. In the first year of Jingkang, the Lu family moved to Yingtian Mansion, our family came to Xiangyang, and then they went to Lin'an, and our family moved to Chengdu, but elder brother wrote to father, we I just found out that my cousin is married to Chen Qing, didn't you go to the examination room two days ago? I just went to visit my cousin."

"I see. That's when you met Chen Qing?"

"Actually, I only met the Xuanfu envoy once. I was embarrassed to go in at the gate of the mansion. It happened that he came back and said a few words."

"Then this imperial examination, do you think Chen Qingzhen won't be lenient?" Zhong Huan thought of Lin Jianqing again.

Chao Qing shook his head, "My cousin told me that Xuan Fushi is very principled. Even her elder brother started as a military officer, then became a county captain in Ganquan County, and then a magistrate in Chengji County. Prefect, I just found out that the prefect of Jingzhao is my cousin Lu Wei. As for the imperial examinations that you care about, if they really want to help me, I will know the test questions tomorrow. Unfortunately, I don’t know, and of course, I don’t want to know. "

"Not even a hint?" Su Ce said unwillingly.

Chao Qing smiled wryly, "We are good friends. If I knew, I would definitely tell you. I bet on Sichuan-Shanxi Commerce, and I told you before. If I really took the test tomorrow, I guessed it myself. They But didn't tell me."

Chao Qing's words reminded Zhong Huan that if Chen Qing wanted to help Lin Jianqing pass the exam, he could just memorize a high-level policy theory for Lin Jianqing. Knowing such a low-end trick as a hero to save the beauty will make people in the know laugh.

Zhong Huan suddenly realized that all this was just his own speculation, and he didn't have any evidence. Could it be that the tall and thin man was not sent by Chen Qing and had nothing to do with Chen Qing, so who could he be?

Zhong Huan had a faint feeling that something was wrong with this matter. There seemed to be a big conspiracy hidden in it, and someone was using Lin Jianqing.

……

The next day's imperial examination will be carried out as usual. Today is the first day of the imperial examination. There will be a whole day of examination, and a light meal will be provided at noon in the examination room.

Countermeasures have always been the most important part of the imperial examination. The palace examination in the imperial examination is about countermeasures, which are more pragmatic and often related to the current situation. This requires scholars to broaden their horizons and focus on reality while consolidating their basic skills.

When the second drum sounded, the soldiers came in with a question board, and the scholars paid close attention to it. The title was "My Opinion on Managing Hanzhong".

This topic makes people a little crazy. It is not difficult to say that it is difficult. Everyone knows Hanzhong. This time, the scholars from Bashu went north to take the imperial examination. The battle between Song and Jin against Sichuan and Shaanxi was basically a struggle for Hanzhong.

Basically every scholar can write a countermeasure, but it is too difficult to write thoroughly in Hanzhong.

This topic made Chao Qing secretly happy. His father and Chengdu prefect Li Jiong had discussed Hanzhong together many times. When they discussed, Chao Qing was by his side. He still remembered the topic discussed by the two elders.

Chao Qing quickly wrote down his point of view on the manuscript paper. Hanzhong is not only the strategic barrier of Sichuan, but also the strategic depth of Shaanxi. It is the strategic channel between Sichuan and Shaanxi.

The strategy of Hanzhong needs to be written around these three aspects, and then divided into four points, terrain, population, food, and roads, and then use a main line to connect these three sides and four points. This main line is the strategy of Sichuan and Shaanxi. For a moment, Chao Qing felt thoughts gushing like a spring.

……

In Yiling County, a fleet of large ships is moored at the wharf of Yiling County, and nearly a hundred large ships are also moored on the other side of the Yangtze River.

Liu Guangshi stood on the bow of a large ship, looking forward to the fleet under Yiling County. It was [-] barrels of kerosene that Chen Qing sold to him privately, of course, in the name of Li Longwu, a big black market businessman.

Liu Guangshi didn't care about the name. He only cared about whether the fire oil was genuine. He asked to buy it at a high price of [-] cents per barrel, and Chen Qing added ten bolts of silk to each barrel. He reluctantly agreed. He was so eager for oil, and with fierce fire oil, he would be able to deal with the warships of the imperial court and defend Jiangling City. Even if the opponent attacked the city with an army of [-], he would not be afraid at all.

He has seen with his own eyes the effect of fierce kerosene defending the city. When a bucket of kerosene is poured on the siege ladder, the siege ladder will be burned to the ground, and the soldiers below will be burned to coke.

The person who went to inspect the goods was Wu Chang, his personal soldier leader. After the inspection was completed, they would exchange goods with each other, or follow the method of trading Bingjia last time, one ship after another.

"Does the military advisor think Chen Qing is tricky?" Liu Guangshi turned around and asked the military advisor Yang Chui'an.

Yang Chuian smiled and said: "I think it's unlikely. I said before that Chen Qing is not a mean person. He will open his mouth like a lion, but once the lord meets his asking price, then the transaction is generally genuine, and he will not make a deal. hall of fame."

Liu Guangshi nodded, "You're right. It's despicable to say it. A person like Zhang Jun is a despicable villain. I will never believe him. Although Chen Qing has a feud with me, he is more trustworthy than the court."

"The key is that he also hopes that the lord will always exist. The court's focus is on the lord, and his pressure will be much less. In fact, he is secretly supporting the lord by selling fierce fire oil. This high-value strategic material , You can’t buy it with money.”

Liu Guangshi snorted, "He pushed me in front as a shield!"

"That's the truth!"

At this time, a small boat came from the opposite side, and Wu Chang boarded the big boat with his entourage. He bowed and clasped his fists and said, "The humble officer randomly pumped fifty barrels. I'm sure it's all fierce kerosene. The goods should be correct!"

Liu Guangshi nodded, turned his head and shouted loudly: "It's time to trade, the first ship will pass!"

A three-thousand stone cargo ship full of copper coins and grain was pulled by the other tracker, and slowly sailed to the opposite bank of the Yangtze River.

At the same time, a cargo ship loaded with kerosene on the other side was slowly approaching.

Chapter 636 Messenger

Pujin Pass, also known as Daqing Pass, is an important passage from Hedong Road to Guanzhong. No matter the merchants or the army in the two places, Pujin Pass is the only way to pass.

This morning, a ferry slowly docked at Pujin Pass. A Jin Guo Han official stepped forward, clasped his fists at the soldiers of the Song Army on the pier and said, "The special envoy of Jin Guo came from Shangjing. I have contacted you before. Please let me go." !"

"Wait a while, you will go ashore after I report!"

The soldiers rushed back, and not long after, Liu Zan, the envoy of Liangguan Township, came quickly, and said to the officials of the Kingdom of Jin: "I have indeed received an order from the envoy Xuanfu. The envoy requires that the number of envoys not exceed 300. We The number of people will be counted, and more than 300 people will not be allowed to go ashore, please arrange it yourself!"

The official saluted and went back to report.

An hour later, several large ferries came back and forth, all of which were full of golden soldiers leading horses. On the front big ship, dozens of golden soldiers surrounded a middle-aged man about 50 years old. He was not as rugged as other Jurchen generals, with a long thin face, slightly pointed chin, and a pair of triangular slender eyes, but he was still very strong. Although he was wearing a purple civilian robe, he still had the image of a military general.

This person is Wanyan Xiyin, the deputy prime minister of the Kingdom of Jin, who is currently the fourth most powerful person in the Kingdom of Jin. Entrusted by the court of the Kingdom of Jin, he came to Jingzhao City to negotiate with Chen Qing.

Now that the Jurchen youth is so precious, it is a matter of national destiny, how could they not redeem it?There are also Wanyan Helisa and Wanyan Qi, both of them belong to the Jurchen royal family, and they are very important, so they must be redeemed.

Wanyan Xiyin has never dealt with Chen Qing, but through Wan Yanchang's description, he probably understands some of Chen Qing's characteristics, and he will definitely be able to reach negotiations for the redemption of prisoners of war. The key is the conditions of prisoners of war. Chen Qing is not so Easy to pass.

"The deputy prime minister of Jin Kingdom, Wanyan Xiyin, was appointed by the Jin Kingdom's court to negotiate with Chen Xuanfu, the general, please don't stop me!"

Liu Zan said loudly: "Since I am the negotiating envoy, I will not stop it, let alone make things difficult, but my family's Xuan Fu envoy has ordered that the total number of envoys should not exceed 300. Please abide by the rules!"

"We don't have 300 people, there are only 280 people in total, the general can count them!"

"Then please!"

Liu Zan ordered the soldiers to get out of the way. Wanyan Xiyin and his men went ashore. Less than 300 people led their horses and walked towards the mountainside. Hundreds of soldiers of the Song Army stood on the high wall with bows and crossbows, watching them coldly.

After passing the Pujin Pass, Liu Zan ordered the deputy general Guan Tao to continue to guard the pass. He personally led a [-] cavalry escort mission to Jingzhao City. It was protection in name, but surveillance in fact. How could they allow three hundred gold? The soldiers wandered around without supervision on the Guanzhong Plain.

……

The imperial examination has been over for five days. According to the normal process, tomorrow is the day when the results will be announced. All the scholars are full of expectations.

Eighteen thousand were all traveling around Guanzhong, and no one returned home. After all, they failed the imperial examinations, and there was Taixue!Today Jingzhao Taixue recruits 100 students, plus 500 students admitted by the imperial examination, that is, the top [-] students will be admitted.

All the test papers have been reviewed and approved. Zhao Fusheng, the official who had just changed its name to the National Characters Administration, handed over the list of 110 people to Chen Qing. The original plan was to admit 100 people. Ten people were added because he was worried that some of the 100 people would fail in virtue. There will be people who don't want to accept Jingzhaotong's title of Jinshi and give up.

That’s right, Chen Qing’s decision was made by Chen Qing. The imperial examinations in the Song Dynasty were divided into five top grades, and those who were born in the same Jinshi were the last ones. Outstanding graduates from Taixue were also awarded the same background. It is regarded as the fifth class and the same as Jinshi, and it is also filed with the court's Ministry of Rites. As for whether the court agrees or not, it is actually not important, at least it is recognized in Sichuan and Shaanxi.

In the official meeting hall, Jiang Yanxian, Zhang Xiao, Zhou Kuan, Zhao Miao and Chen Qing discussed the final admission list.

No.1 is called Wei Ji, the eldest son of Wei Ningyuan, a wealthy Jingzhao family. The proposal for Hanzhong to develop eastward is to widen the official road along the Hanshui River and dredge the shipping of the Hanshui River so that five hundred stone cargo ships can go directly from Nanzheng to Xiangyang.