Exploring the Entertainment Circle [Ancient and Modern]

430 A test paper for the palace examination was placed on the imperial case in Taiqing Pavilion, and Emperor Youguang of the Great Chu Dynasty read it with a vermilion pen in his hand.The third emperor of Dachu, 63 years old this year, is old, his eyes are dim, and he can't read those words clearly.He just symbolically signed it with a vermilion pen, and it was the palace examination examiners composed of humerus scribes who really decided the ranking.

"Your Majesty, ministers and others discussed that for No.1 in the palace examination, Xie Yuanying from Bianzhou will be taken, and he will be ranked third in the spring test; No.2 will be taken from Huiyuan Yandansheng in the spring test; No.3 will be taken from Huiyuan Yandansheng in the spring test. Lu Changwen, Huiyuan from Luzhou, ranked fifth in the spring test..." Said one of the palace test officials, Guozijian Jijiu.

The emperor replied drowsily, and suddenly remembered something, "Where's Xu Tangweng's student? What's his name?"

Several palace examiners looked at each other, and one of them stood up reluctantly and said, "Your Majesty, Xu Weng's closed disciple, Tao Qingfeng, plans to take No.11 this time."

"Show me the paper."

The servant with sharp eyesight and quick hands has already found out the test papers of several people whose names were mentioned from the thick stack of test papers, and presented them to Emperor Youguang.

Emperor Youguang held a Western "Huoqi Liuli" (magnifying glass) in his hand, looked at several test papers one by one, and immediately frowned.

"This Lu Changwen wrote something about 'the old politics of the ancestors, and the redundant system'. A bunch of articles made swords and swords. Does he want to rebel?"

One of the palace examiners, leading the four princes of Prince Shaoqing, said: "Reporting to my father, the ministers believe that Lu Changwen is determined to innovate. Although his words are a bit turbulent, he aims to strengthen his heart. He is a rare talent."

Emperor Youguang stared at the 32-year-old fourth prince, the son who was putting more and more pressure on him, and the fire in the eyes of the other party was about to burst out at any time.Emperor Youguang realized that this was another test of his bottom line, his thin lips trembled, and he said angrily: "I think he is showing off! He was elected as an official on policy theory and poetry, and he wrote articles on reform and system reform. In Yijia! How do you approve papers!"

He glared fiercely at the two examiners who were evenly matched in the palace examination: Zaifu and Shen Zhizhengshi, they can't wait to flatter the fourth prince?The crown prince and grand master Yan Guogong avoided suspicion this year and did not participate in the arrangement of the palace examination, so no one will check and balance them?

Zaifu hurriedly came out to clarify: "I refuted Lu Changwen's paper at that time. I also want to ask the emperor to make a decision today." It means that he has no loyalty to join the prince's camp.

The emperor snorted: "Then who is the first and third you are going to arrange?"

Zaifu said: "Tao Qingfeng. This person is full of colorful poems and has a solid foundation. As for the clear discussion of policies, they are gentle and powerful, and they are plain and simple."

Shen Zhizheng snorted: "Tao Qingfeng's article is nothing more than conforming to the old ways and chewing on the things of the sages and ancestors."

There are two subjects in the palace examination, poetry and policy theory, and the governor who participates in politics pays special attention to policy theory this year.

Zaifu said: "Aren't all the books of sages and sages all commentaries and collations of our ancestors? Whether it is policy theory or poetry, Tao Qingfeng has written very well. Among these hundreds of volumes, it is difficult to have such a A deep and even person. He is indeed Xu Weng's closed disciple. Lu Changwen's writing style is not as good as him."

There was a hint of sarcasm in the tone of Shen Zhizhengshi: "This is a character that has been sold in Shouyinyuan for more than half a year. If it is selected into the first class, our Dachu will be the first to produce poor money."

"Poverty and lowliness do not shake the ambition of Qingyun." Zaifu said: "Your Majesty, I think that Tao Qingfeng is really a model for poor scholars. He should be awarded the first rank to comfort the students of the world. But Feng Zhengshi is you..." Zaifu turned to criticize, "Judging officials based on the rich and the poor really harmed the imperial examination system in Great Chu. I don't know how many bribes I have received!"

"Bloody spitting! Your Majesty, I have been wronged!" The political governor turned pale and knelt down.

"Okay, shut up." Emperor Youguang lazily stopped them when he saw that they were arguing.Getting rid of Lu Changwen, a dangerous person, would be very useful to Emperor Youguang. Emperor Youguang recalled the scene when the great Confucian Xu Tangweng retired, and was filled with emotion. After thinking about it for a while, Emperor Youguang said, "Let's take Tao Qingfeng as a first-class explorer."

"Yes." Zaifu glanced at Shen Zhizheng smugly.

"The number one scholar and the second place..." Emperor Youguang continued to use "Huo Qi Liuli" to check their papers. "Yan Tansheng was first in the spring test, why is he second this time?"

Zaifu and Shen Zhizhengshi looked at each other in blank dismay: Duke Yan has already been sealed, so do you want his third son to be the champion?

Zaifu bit the bullet and made up a reason: "Yan Dansheng became famous in Gyeonggi when he was young. He became famous when he was young, and he took a shortcut all the way. His test papers are inevitably a bit...frivolous."

Emperor Youguang looked over and over, and laughed: "This Yan Dansheng is always so funny when he talks."

Shenzhi Zhengshi rarely stood on the united front with Zaifu, and said: "Your Majesty, I secretly think that the number one scholar represents the body of the country. Yan Dan Shengce's poems and poems are beyond criticism, but the style of the scrolls is not... solemn enough."

Emperor Youguang thought for a while, and finally realized that there seemed to be too many officials in Yan Guogong's family. If this person was named the number one scholar, he could directly work under Pingzhang's sect instead of staying in the Ministry of Officials.With the power of the Yan family and Yan Dansheng's temperament, within half a year, Pingzhang's family will definitely be in trouble...

"Then there is no better name for this Yingdaqiu?" Emperor Youguang thought about the title of the imperial list and wanted to write "Fengtian Chengyun Emperor Youguang Three Years April 21st Policy Examination The World's tributes should be Daqia and so on 270 a The No. 1 Jia Jinshi, the second Jia Jinshi and the third Jia Jinshi and Ti", with the No.[-] name as a title, I feel weak for a while.

The serious officials in front of the palace finally couldn't help a few of them secretly laughing.

"It is said that the parents were illiterate, so they gave up the name randomly. Now that both parents are dead, I dare not change it." Zaifu said, "But I secretly think that this name is magnificent." A few years ago, the champion of a certain subject was named "" "Ji Ruliu" was spread to Fan Bangguo, and was ridiculed for a while, and the scholars were so weak.

"That's all. That's it." The emperor Youguang was exhausted and rejected the palace examiners who were the first and third candidates in this subject.Let them speed up the reconsideration of the remaining list, and pass the news to the more than 400 Gongsheng students in the capital who are looking forward to it...

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On the side of the road in the suburbs of Beijing, there is an ancient remnant stele engraved with "Xue Er".Later, someone built a pavilion on it, and an old woman was in the pavilion, specially charging a few pennies for those who wanted to rub the stele.

Before Chunwei, students from various states and counties who came to take part in the examination all liked to go to the Confucian Temple to ask for blessings, and it became a custom to ask for good luck by rubbing a few steles.But basically no one comes to this small kiosk in the suburbs of Beijing, after all, it is too shabby.

The old woman was taking a nap when suddenly she saw a handsome young man walking into the pavilion.She recognized this young man. Three months ago, on the eve of Chunwei, this young man also came here.I gave her three pennies, and rubbed the stele with thin white wool paper.

Today the young man did not bring any paper, but brought some incense sticks, put them in a hard alcove, bowed a few times, and said in a low voice, "Tao Sheng fulfilled his vow today."

The old woman didn't know that the capital released the list yesterday, causing a sensation in the whole city.I don't know that this is Tao Qingfeng, the "model of poor scholars" who "became famous all over the world".The old woman only knew that three months ago, he didn't even have the money to go to the Confucian Temple to burn incense, so he could only come to this shabby kiosk to pray for some symbolic blessings.

Chunwei took Gongsheng, the emperor didn't bother, and was controlled by the four princes.Tao Qingfeng's writing was steady, his strategy was conservative, and he didn't like it. He was ranked 230th.

After all, unlike Ying Dacai and Yan Dansheng, Tao Qingfeng was able to know the faction of the chief examiner in advance, so that he could write articles that would not offend the political views of the faction.They are extremely intelligent people, as long as they know a little information, they can naturally walk through them carefully.

Tao Qingfeng didn't know anything about it at the time, but luckily he had a solid foundation, so he couldn't criticize more, so Gongsheng still took it.It's just that the ranking was manipulated and moved to the back.

Fortunately, the palace examination was competitive, and the pearl was not concealed, and finally she shined, and she became a first-class Tanhua.

Tao Qingfeng walked out of the "Xue Er" pavilion, and suddenly found a horse tied under a tree by the side of the road. Not far away, a young man was sitting by the stream, carefully taking off his white socks, and was tentatively putting his bare feet into the water .The water is warm in summer, and the young man makes a pleasant voice.

Tao Qingfeng met him under the bridge in Shouyinyuan.Later, in the Chunwei examination room and the preface of the palace examination, I also caught a glimpse of this person from a distance.Tao Qingfeng knew that he must have heard the name of this fellow student. After all, Tao Qingfeng was familiar with the examination list and palace examination list, but it didn't match his face.

The list is released today, and tomorrow Tao Qingfeng will go to the front of the hall to thank him, beat horses in the Royal Street, and have a feast in Qionglin.I don't know if the other party is on the list, why come to this remote suburb of Beijing?

Tao Qingfeng walked to the stream and made a bow. "Brother, we meet again."

The young man's feet were soaked in the stream, but in his eyes, there was no look of accidental meeting: "Tao Tanhua, you are right, meeting is always destined."

"I'm ashamed, I don't know about Xiongtai's family." Tao Qingfeng was not surprised that the other party recognized him, Shouyinyuan sold so many calligraphy.Tao Qingfeng didn't inquire about the other party, but it didn't mean they wouldn't inquire about him.

The young man was taken aback for a moment, and whispered: "You don't know yet?" He suddenly remembered something, looked up and down Tao Qingfeng in surprise, and showed a helpless smile, "Now I understand what your Chunwei grades are. Something happened."

Tao Qingfeng was a little confused by his jumping thoughts. If he didn't inquire about this person, what did it have to do with his poor grades in Chunwei?He humbly asked for advice: "Tao Sheng is dull, please explain clearly, brother."

The young man rolled his eyes, swayed his feet gently in the stream, and said: "You don't even know who I am. Naturally, you don't know who the chief examiner of Chunwei is, and naturally you don't know what they want The paper. The ranking is naturally lower. This time, you can get first in the palace exam..." He suddenly showed an almost joking smile, "Could it be that stupid people have stupid luck?"

No one had ever said that Tao Qingfeng was "stupid". Tao Qingfeng was stunned, and suddenly realized: If someone ranked after him in the palace examination, they probably wouldn't call him "stupid", and wouldn't it be a slap in the face.And in front of him, there are only two people...

"Ying Zhuangyuan also participated in the martial arts, and the tiger's mouth seal should be very thick. But you don't have one, so you are the second place in the Yanbang, and you are disrespectful." Tao Qingfeng said calmly.This is in line with his previous guess that flashed by. "I heard that Mr. Yan was young and successful, and he acted freely. I thought I would see it tomorrow."

Yan Tansheng said: "Fang Da? You know how to 'decorate euphemistically'. Shouldn't the original words be absurd or crazy?"

Tao Qingfeng said: "The rumors in the market deviate a lot. I never believed it."

A flash of surprise flashed in Yan Tansheng's eyes, he looked at him for a while, then shook his feet in the water, and said, "Then you saw it with your own eyes?"

Tao Qingfeng said: "The water of the Canglang is clear and washes the feet. Mr. Yan is not following a celebrity, but a sage. Naturally, I don't believe it. But the rumors... Mr. Yan's speaking style is not particular, but I understand it gone."

Yan Dan said with a smile: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean you are stupid... As a person, I can't help joking when I see interesting people and things. You can just treat me as a bitch."

Tao Qingfeng shook his head and said, "It's okay, sometimes I'm pretty stupid." Originally, Tao Qingfeng went smoothly in the exams, hard work and intelligence are indispensable, but after arriving in the capital, which of these tribute students is not as smart as a monkey. Tao Qingfeng really felt that most of the time his brain was not enough.

Yan Tansheng changed the subject: "Just now I saw you coming out of that small pavilion. Is this really the temple you begged for?" His tone was more tactful. According to him, this is not a temple at all.

Even Tao Qingfeng's situation, which has been passed along with every news, has always surprised him.

His family was poor, and he took his mother to Beijing in an ox cart all the way to take the provincial examination, but he couldn't even live in a stable home...

Although the officials in each prefecture and county are different, Jie Yuan in this township examination is also the face of a province... What the hell is going on in that prefecture, no wonder it is the poorest prefecture and county.If this is Jieyuan near Gyeonggi, I don't know what the scenery will be like.This Tao Qingfeng couldn't even bear to spend money to go to a Confucian Temple.

Many candidates, even if they are from poor families, have to save some money to go to the Confucian Temple to burn incense.During this period of time, Tao Qingfeng's calligraphy has been sold well in Shouyinyuan, so he should be a little more generous.Yan Dan pondered, wondering if he still sells calligraphy?Do you want to buy a few hundred copies?

"Blessing lies in sincerity, it's the same everywhere." Tao Qingfeng said, "This place is very close to the farm I rented before. If I go to the big temple in the city, I'll be delayed for an unknown amount of time."

Yan Tansheng nodded, and told him worriedly: "There is no place to spend money tomorrow, so don't run away."

Tao Qingfeng said with a smile: "Giving gifts, parading the streets, and the imperial banquet, why should I run away? But..." He suddenly thought of something, asked for help, "I would like to consult Mr. Yan, the delicacies at the imperial banquet are prepared according to the rules Are you allowed to take it away? I want to take it back and give it to my mother to taste."

Yan Tansheng's expression was complicated: "You can't take out the utensils in the palace. You have to bring your own containers. But when you enter the palace, you will be searched, and you can't bring any sturdy utensils. At most, you can bring a layer of clean oil paper, and you have to go through the inner court. Check that it's not poisonous. There's no rule against wrapping food in greased paper, but you do..."

Yan Dansheng didn't say anything, isn't he afraid of being laughed at?The dignified Tanhua wrapped the imperial banquet in oiled paper and ate out of the palace, wouldn't she be laughed at for not treating scholars favorably?

Tao Qingfeng also heard Yan Dansheng's implication, that the royal family has a big face and it seems inconvenient to do so.He said gently: "Forget it. Reading is about etiquette."

Yan Dansheng looked at Tao Qingfeng's dejected expression, rolled his eyes, and said, "However, if it was given by His Majesty on his own initiative, there will be no controversy. After all, he values ​​your mentor Xu Tangweng. In the name of your mentor and mother Please be kind, you know what I mean."

Tao Qingfeng's eyes lit up, he nodded gratefully and said, "I understand, thank you."

Tao Qingfeng thought about it again, and his mood was complicated. The idea Yan Dan came up with was to plot against the emperor... He suddenly broke into a cold sweat, thinking about it, this person's family is powerful.Yan Dan was born in Baiding, so he often went to and from the six provinces of the former dynasty to understand the emperor's preferences, so it is natural to have such an idea.

But for himself, Tao Qingfeng thought, in the future there must be an insurmountable distance, and he must keep a safe distance from this person.

(Unfinished, tomorrow is Qionglin Banquet)