Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

After being interrupted by such a small episode, after Lu Ci eased off his desire to laugh, he was not so nervous anymore.

——Although even Zhu Shuo Liu Qi and others who were familiar with him didn't see the slightest clue, but he was indeed nervous.

Qunjian only has such a short time, no matter how reluctant they are, they have to prepare to turn to the Imperial College.

Although the emperor never showed up, Lu Ci still had to speak in public on behalf of Xie Juren.

Everyone couldn't hide their regret, and they looked at Lu Ci with complicated eyes.

Lu Ci was probably the only one in the audience who didn't feel any regrets, and even felt a little bit happy.

He was led to the front and back of the queue, first showed a smile, and then calmly said: "Chen Xi waited for the present, the first goodness began in the capital, although martial arts can be used to control, it must be ruled by literature and virtue. The world can be cultivated, Juzi prospered in Tianmu, and here Fu Yu honored the title of His Majesty the Emperor, followed the ancient ways, cultivated talents, invented edicts in the four seas, and ordered virtuous people to flourish in the five lakes. The ministers misunderstood the edicts, and they have a rough knowledge of writing, even though they are grasslands My minister, I seek to hear and see widely, hope to increase my wisdom and concern, and I am fortunate to receive the tribute from the heavenly court."

The theme of this flattering speech is extremely clear, but not too much, it can be described as quite satisfactory, very sophisticated and tactful.

Let the sensible person smile knowingly, and bow sincerely on the face.

Lu Ci never intended to take advantage of this speech opportunity to be different, just to attract the attention of senior officials.

If you do that, even if you succeed, you will inevitably be suspected of flattering the present in such a large audience, which will damage the integrity of a man for no reason.

It would be better to let the results of the provincial test speak for itself.

Only real talents and real learning can convince everyone, instead of taking some opportunistic and heretical ways.

If you show off so much cleverness, but fail in the provincial test, wouldn't it be a waste of effort and a big joke in the world?

Of course, it is still necessary to praise His Majesty's wisdom and martial arts modestly, and praise Chongwen's wise policies appropriately.

For Lu Ci's speech, he had consulted Liu Qi and Teng Zongliang several times, and only carefully memorized it after confirming that it was correct.

It was enough for Lu Ci to pass this troublesome thing smoothly and make the listener roughly satisfied.

After seeing the governor who led them nod to him without a trace, showing a subtle smile, Lu Ci understood that the hurdle of delivering a speech could be regarded as passed safely.

He smiled slightly, and returned to the queue calmly, without showing the slightest excitement to finish his speech, and he didn't see any impetuousness of young people in his body, which attracted the eyes of Xie Yuan, who was at least twice his age, around him.

After the group meeting was completed, the governor and officials led the 7000 people to set off again to the Imperial Academy.

"This is this year's Dejie Juren?"

Standing in front of the window in a narrow robe, Zhao Heng, who watched the disciples go away, suddenly asked lazily.

The attendants hurriedly replied, "It's them who are going back to the official's house."

"The person who gave the speech just now, is he already a Jieyuan?" Zhao Heng quickly lost interest in staring at the dark back. With the careful support of the servants, he walked slowly. Tundi returned to the front of the case, and sighed indistinctly: "It reminds me of my uncle from more than ten years ago."

The inner minister thought about it.

Not long after Yan Shu left, the officials walked around the hall casually because of their irritability, and happened to listen to a speech about dismissing their heads.

At first, I only felt that the little man's voice was pleasant, and there was a faintly beautiful rhythm between the speeches, which was smooth and pleasant.

After seeing the appearance of the young man again, the officials felt a little nostalgic for the past.

Yan Shu, the child prodigy back then, was recommended by Zhang Zhibai, the caretaker of Jiangnan, which attracted the attention of Zhao Heng, who loves talent, and he was exempted from the test.

When Yan Shu went to the palace test together with other people, he was also so young and mature, but with a well-thought-out spirit.

The courtier thought he had guessed a bit of the official's thoughts, so he boldly joked: "I see, according to my minister, the appearance of that Xie Yuan is better than that of Yan Xueshi."

Zhao Heng was really happy, and laughed: "You are telling the truth, but be careful not to let Uncle Tong listen to you!"

It's one thing for him to value Yan Shu's talent, and it's another thing to like Yan Shu's cautiousness. The reason why he values ​​Yan Shu so much doesn't fall on the two.

When he fell in love with Yan Shu, a child prodigy, and was promoted repeatedly, it was also the moment when he was full of vigor and ambition.

And Yan Shu has never been sorry for this expectation - the talent he has shown is enough to make a good story about a king "identifying talents and distinguishing talents, and discerning pearls with discerning eyes".

The servants did not dare to make a sound, and the minister cautiously laughed along with him.

As for the name and surname of Jie Yuan who gave the speech, Zhao Heng never asked, and he wisely did not bring it up.

After all, I have only passed the first level of the solution test, and the most difficult provincial test is just around the corner, so it is too early to say anything else.

Who knows, will that high-spirited young man be the next Uncle Yan Tong, or will he be famous for a while, and then lose his name to Sun Shan and become unknown?

At this time, Lu Ci didn't know that he had really left such a good impression on the emperor through his unintentional planting.

After following the Tang system and going to the Imperial College to meet their former teachers, most of the young Gongju people were already panting and sweating.

The magistrate watched everything calmly, and after leading everyone out of the gate of the Imperial College, he announced that the ceremony was over, and the students could go back separately.

As for sending carriages to pick them up one by one?

Obviously impossible, there are more than 7000 people.

So these Gongju people who were exhausted from walking had to drag their heavy feet to the street again until they could rent donkeys, horses or carts.

However, although they are physically exhausted, they are still mentally excited. While moving slowly, they are eagerly talking about what they have seen and heard today and sharing their thoughts with the people around them.

And Lu Ci and others, who have been nourished by more than a month of delicious food and drink, plus proper exercise, and who have the greatest advantage of being young, feel even less strenuous.

Considering that their apartment is near the state bridge, walking from the Guozijian, although it is not close, but it is not far away, everyone unanimously decided not to compete with those people for cars and horses, but to walk back directly up.

Seeing that Zhu said that they were regretful because they couldn't see Longyan, Lu Ci smiled and said, "Seeing the sky is not as difficult as you think. On the fourteenth night of the first lunar month, the king will bring his concubines, Take advantage of the Xuande Gate, first watch the lanterns, and then drive up to the gate to watch the performance on the terrace. At that time, you will be able to see it when you arrive early and squeeze to the front. If you are lucky, you will also be given Jin Ou Royal Wine, which can be used for shallow drinking .”

Zhu said that his face was longing, while Liu Qi and Teng Zijing couldn't help but look at each other, quite surprised.

They have taken the provincial examination once, and they have also spent the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival in Beijing, so they are of course clear about these details.

But Lu Ci has never been there before, but he is also very clear about these things, as if he had been there personally, it is inconceivable.

Lu Ci saw that they were confused, smiled, and wrote lightly: "I have always had the habit of doing research and planning before going out. Besides, the last time I was quoted by Shangshu Province, wasn't it just one day after the Lantern Festival? Because of this, I I paid more attention during the inspection.”

Teng Zongliang suddenly realized: "So that's the case. Brother Xi Yu is really careful."

Liu Qi narrowed her eyes slightly, but said nothing.

In my heart, I am very skeptical about this.

According to his understanding of this little glutton, rather than believing that the other party is trying to save money, it might be better to say that he fell in love with the special delicacies sold at various stalls in Bianjing during the Lantern Festival early in the morning.

Liu Qi sighed melancholy.

But doubts are just doubts after all, especially among these few people, most of them are convinced by this little Taotie, if he speaks rashly, he is afraid that he will be beaten up by the crowd.

——It's really uncomfortable when everyone is drunk and I am sober.

Lu Ci also didn't bother to deal with the mischievous Liu Qi, so he bought some pear and lotus root slices that looked refreshing and delicious, and distributed them to a few people.

Although he lived in the Great Song Dynasty thousands of years ago, the air quality was far worse than he expected.

I didn't realize it when I was in Mizhou, but I was conscious when I was in Damingfu. After I arrived in Bianjing, I had to feel the "smog" that is common in modern times from time to time.

The culprit is naturally the charcoal fire widely used by the people of Beijing.

People in Bianjing are proud of the fact that every household burns charcoal instead of firewood, which brings great pollution to the air.

In winter, it is even more serious.

Naturally, it is impossible for the imperial court to sit idly by and ignore this. It is for this reason that the extensive planting of vegetation is included in the performance assessment, in order to encourage officials from all over the country to plant more trees and have an environmental awareness of preventing floods and pollution.

Bianjing city is lined with green trees and blooming flowers, not only to increase the fun of travel for tourists, but also to control the air.

Although countless firecrackers were fired last night, the smog today is surprisingly not serious.

The road was clean and tidy because people from the street department had sprinkled water and cleaned it, and Lu Ci had the rare desire to wander around.

So, just as the group was about to turn to Zhouqiao, he suddenly suggested: "Since we're out today, why not go buy test equipment? It's time to prepare those too."

The pens, inks, papers and inkstones have been carefully selected. What Lu Ci is referring to at this time is obviously not the study room, but the table, chairs and clothing.

Everyone had no objection, so they followed Lu Ci to a cloth shop with a lot of customers.

"It's just entered the first lunar month, and it's freezing cold. There is no charcoal basin for heating in the examination room, and you are not allowed to bring Mrs. Tang, but don't underestimate the impact of this." Lu Ci solemnly urged while choosing the cotton material to put in the interlayer of the robe. He said: "Even if there is a wonderful brush with flowers, if the ink jelly freezes and your fingers are stiff, how can you use it?"

Everyone looked like they were being educated with an open mind. Teng Zongliang, who had suffered a lot on similar issues, couldn't help but look at Lu Ci who thought of everything in amazement, and silently picked some.

Only Liu Qi was still lazily slouching with his hands on one side, his coquettish posture caused the little ladies who came in and out of the cloth shop to blush and shyly, as if he didn't seem to want to choose at all.

Lu Ci glanced at him indifferently, but before he could speak, Zhu said he had kindly reminded him: "Brother Liu, don't you want to prepare some?"

Liu Qi raised her eyebrows, and said in distaste: "I've always liked narrow-sleeved tight gowns with white silk as the bottom, if you stuff them with cotton as an interlayer like you, wouldn't it look very bloated and hard to see?"

"..."

Zhu, who has always been pragmatic, obviously did not expect to hear such reasons, and looked at the fastidious Liu Qi in disbelief, as if looking at a fool.

His lips twitched, at least for the sake of admiring the other party's lyrics, he held back and did not speak again, but concentrated on picking his own cotton materials.

Teng Zongliang didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "During the few days of your exam, you were temporarily wearing a style with wide sleeves and wide body, so you couldn't see it?"

Liu Qi took it for granted, "I've never liked those things."

Although it was a bit tough, it was not like he hadn't survived it. It was just three short days, and he could go back to the house at night, so he could barely bear it.

The corner of Lu Ci's mouth twitched, because in modern times, he had seen countless people who wanted demeanor but not warmth, and he understood this very well, so he didn't force him.

Only when checking out, I took a few extra thick cloths and bought them together.

Zhu said that although he noticed this, but out of his consistent trust in Lu Ci, he hesitated and didn't ask anything.

At Lu Ci's suggestion, several people went to the carpenter's shop again, and according to each person's height, shape and personal habits, they each customized a chair with a cushion and even a footrest.

In this way, even if you need to sit for a long time, you will not easily suffer from back pain.

For this, Liu Qi also agreed very much, swept away the rejection attitude just now, and made a custom one without hesitation.

There is nothing particular about the table, as long as it is spacious and flat, the height is suitable, and it does not exceed the size and length limit set by Shang Shusheng.

After placing the deposit and making an appointment to pick it up the next day, Lu Ci rushed to Yaren's place with his team and hired three embroiderers temporarily.

In the next few days, let them use the cotton material they just bought to sew warm clothes for them for the exam.

In addition to robes, thickened and velvet shoes and cotton socks are naturally necessary as warm items.

Liu Qi had always acted like he had nothing to do with him, until the day before the exam, when Lu Ci suddenly entered his room without saying hello, he still smiled and teased: "What happened to brother Yu Yu? Could it be——"

"Brother Liu, no matter how chic and beautiful you are, you have to distinguish the severity and the occasion. Proper warmth is still a must."

At the beginning of the conversation, Lu Ci had already said this meaningfully, then quickly put the things on his bed, turned around, and left neatly.

Where is this trouble coming from?

Liu Qi stared inexplicably at his back as he pushed and closed the door in one go. After a long while, he turned his head and casually looked at the things on the bed.

As a result, his face turned completely dark when he saw it.

It was nothing else, but a few dark blue undershirts thickened with the thick material that Lu Ci picked up when he checked out a few days ago.

However, this kind of cute little dress is especially loved by women because of the characteristics of 'covering breasts on the top and covering the stomach on the bottom' after wearing it. It can be tightly tied and windproof.

Also known as 'tube top'.

The author has something to say: Notes:

1. Socks

Socks (socks) were called foot clothing by the ancients, and they can be divided into long and short.Socks (socks), as "socks, 韈", may be named after the soft leather (Weipi); after the Han and Wei dynasties, it was changed to Luo as the material, so it was called "韈". "Shiming? Shiyi" said: "韈, the end is also at the end of the foot." Later, it was written as the word "sock" (sock).

2. The tube top is actually a kind of close-fitting garment between the chest, usually made of square-foot cloth.After wearing the tube top in the Song Dynasty, "the top can cover breasts, and the bottom can cover the belly", and the front chest is tightly tied to prevent the intrusion of wind.In the Song Dynasty, not only women, but men also wore tube tops.

In 1975, the real tube top found in the tomb of Zhou Yu, a student of the Southern Song Dynasty, in Jintan District, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, has confirmed this point.What does this mean?Song people wear tube tops not only for beauty, but also to keep warm - otherwise we really can't think of why a big man would wear a tube top. ("Living in the Song Dynasty" Chapter 1)

3.省试时天气太冷，导致笔砚冻结，曾出现在孝宗（1186）年12月22日的一道上奏之中，是为恳请延期考试数日。1189年才终于改成了正月24日锁院。（《宋会要辑稿·选举》一之二十至二一）

4. Robes: The robes worn by scholars and common people have interlayers and long clothes with solid cotton wool in the middle, which are generally long to the feet; in the Song Dynasty, there were two types: wide-sleeved and wide-body and narrow-sleeved and tight-fitting.Officials with high status used brocade as their fabric, known as "brocade robes"; those without official positions mostly wore white silk robes; ordinary people or scholars who had not entered official careers wore cloth robes.

5. Narrow robes: These are casual clothes made by the emperor when he usually sits and watches things. They are all made of soap gauze and folded on the upper towel, with rhinoceros and gold and jade rings.Narrow gown or imperial black gauze hat. ("History of Wenhua in the Song and Song Dynasties")

6. The emperor would not call himself Zhen, but 'I' unless he was in formal court or other occasions. ("Pretending to Live in the Song Dynasty")

7. Planting trees as a political achievement:

If the local officials of the Song Dynasty actively plant trees and afforestation during their tenure, they can be regarded as achievements in promotion. "Qingyuan Tiaofashilei" stipulates: "The tenure of the county prime ministers is full, and the trees are planted during their tenure. According to the reward, that is, the achievements are remarkable. If it leads to a reduction in the green area, it will be punished. ".The government also legislates to strictly prohibit the illegal logging of trees, and "offenders will be punished with crimes." Even if the government wants to cut timber for public purposes, it must apply to the "Ministry Bureau" for a logging permit. ("Song: The Dawn of Modern Times"

8. Pollution:

In the Song Dynasty, the handicraft industry was developed, especially the large-scale use of coal, which led to air pollution. For example, Yanzhou generally used coal (charcoal) as daily fuel, and the whole city was shrouded in soot: "There are three roads in the sand pile, and two roads in the charcoal smoke. city".In the Song Dynasty, the population increased day by day, and there was an unavoidable trend of over-exploitation of land and forest resources, which also caused a certain degree of soil erosion and ecological damage.

In the literature of the Song Dynasty, there are many records of dusty weather and smog weather. In severe cases, "a storm blows from the northwest and there are sounds, broken trees blow sand, and yellow dust covers the sky."

9. The content of Lu Ci's speech was adapted by me on the basis of "Speech for the Group Meeting in Kaifeng Mansion" written by Jiayou in 2 years.Because my changes are quite large, I put them all up.

10. The servants are also divided into servants without rank and ministers with rank.In front of the members of the royal family, the servants who have no rank generally call themselves "Xiaodi (of)", while the servants can call themselves "Chen".

11. Neighborhood Department: Specializes in the management of urban environmental sanitation.The Sub-district Department can recruit 500 sanitation workers, and each sanitation worker will be given a monthly salary of "two thousand dollars and a green shirt". Their responsibilities include repairing roads, dredging stagnant water, sweeping streets, and rectifying city appearance. "Qingbo Magazine" said, "The old view is that Biandu is a small car, and the first few people hold water cans and sprinkle the passing cars" to avoid dust flying. It looks similar to today's urban sanitation sprinklers; "Tokyo Menghualu" Said, "Every spring, the officials send their husbands to watch and wash in the city canal."The government regularly arranges workers to dredge the ditches every year to avoid water accumulation in the city. ("Song: The Dawn of Modern Times")

12. There is a small poem: "play Shun music, enter Yao Cup, spread the word that the chariot is on the Tianjie Street. The king is happy to have fun with the people, and he comes from all directions." It is said that the emperor of the Song Dynasty was with the people at Xuandemen The scene of the Lantern Festival.

Every year on the night of the [-]th (or [-]th, or [-]th) of the first lunar month, the emperor would "take a small chariot to enjoy the Xuande Gate" and watch the lanterns; On the terrace, entertainers of all colors perform sumo, cuju, Baixi and other programs on the terrace. The emperor sits upstairs to enjoy the performance, "the sound of the palace concubines laughing and laughing can be heard outside" "; all surnames watch under the terrace", The citizens who came to Xuande Gate first, "still had a glimpse of the sky", and were able to see Longyan up close.

During the reign of Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty, the royal family still placed imperial wine at the Duanmen of the imperial city, called "Jinou wine", and nearly a thousand staff members of Guanglu Temple "persuaded the wine to drink with the golden goblet". "The people who watch the lamp don't ask about the rich and poor, the old and the young, and give them a cup of imperial wine at the Duanmen." ("Living in the Song Dynasty", note, not "Pretending to Live in the Song Dynasty"! They are two books, but the titles are similar)