Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

In terms of personal opinion, Zhao Heng is obviously inclined to choose Lu Ci, who is quite popular with him, as the number one scholar.

The three-yuan and first-ranked ones are rare in the first place, and now this young gentleman who is only sixteen years old can achieve this honor, not to mention that there will be no one who will come later, and it will be unprecedented.

Falling on top of history is the best evidence of his clean governance and the emergence of talents.

However, the old rules and regulations of the imperial examinations, which emphasize prose over theory, were all determined by the previous dynasty, and it has not been easy for many years. Cai Qijuan's prose is indeed much better than Lu Cijuan's prose.

He would not be willing to leave this very popular theory at the second place in the list; if he wanted to make an exception to mention the author of this theory to the top of the list, he would have to break the old system, which might cause controversy.

Zhao Heng hesitated for a long time, so he simply called several examiners into the hall, explained the situation, and then listened to their discussion.

Kou Zhun couldn't restrain the corners of his lips from rising when he heard that the top two candidates were from the North.

Not knowing whether the glue man Cai Qi is round or flat, but he has a sporadic understanding of Lu Ci, he took the lead and said sonorously: "In my opinion, Jinshi only pays attention to poetry and Fu, but is not close to the way; all disciplines If you only try to understand the righteousness and focus on the work of reciting, you will ignore the great righteousness. For a long time, scholars have given up generosity and pursued the small way, and they have given up their sons to fill their courts. However, those who are talented only know one or two out of ten. Carving seals should not be valued, but the authenticity of scholars should be taken."

Although Zhao Heng dislikes this 'stupid' Kou Laoxi even more because he sometimes says very unpleasant things and does things that annoy him.

But today's words reached his heart.

Ignoring the last few words in a tone that taught him how to do things, he could almost make him nod comfortably.

That's right, he wanted Lu Ci to be the champion, not just because of his good looks and temperament.

However, if you really make up your mind, you can't just listen to Kou Zhun.

So Zhao Heng looked at Wang Dan, the prime minister who relied most heavily on him, and asked with a smile, "What does Prime Minister Wang think?"

Kou Zhun's eyes widened, and he stared fiercely at Wang Dan who was called.

Wang Dan pretended not to see the series of crazy hints Kou Zhun was giving him with winks and eyes, coughed, and replied solemnly: "This kid is at the top or the second place, and it's a trivial matter, but he knows a little bit about it, so we can know the status of today's tribute. Disadvantages. Since the early dynasties, tributes have been chosen first for poems and prose, and then for policy discussion. However, the judges have no knowledge of classics and no principles. Exam-oriented. However, if you only study poetry and Fu, and only pay attention to poetry and Fu, the skills you acquire are not enough for public discussion. Although there are some people who are good at both in the world, there are very few rare talents and strange people, and they cannot be generalized."

Wang Dan spoke slowly, with a flat tone, but the content was unprecedentedly sharp, completely different from his usual gentle impression.

What Wang Dan saw was obviously not the trivial matter of Lu Ci being the second or number one in the list, but he regarded this as a good opportunity to persuade the officials to carry out a major reform of the tribute system.

However, he was usually too restrained, and when he said this, not only Kou Zhun was very surprised, but even Zhao Heng was taken aback.

Zhao Heng asked the opinions of the most important courtiers on weekdays, and all the answers he got were "when you are young, you should seek the righteousness of the world, instead of learning to write poems behind closed doors".

He couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

At this moment, the ministers and ministers who can stand in the palace are all selected through the tribute of poetry and fu.

However, after many years, not only were they unwilling to maintain the practice of emphasizing poetry and prose, but they seemed to hate the atmosphere it had brought about, and they agreed that "poetry and prose are superfluous and not rooted in morality."

Yan Shu, who was given a chance to speak at the last moment because of the official's small talk, but because he was favored by the official family, said frankly: "Only focusing on poetry and prose to get scholars is easy to make scholars ignorant of world affairs. Even in high school, It is also learning that is not used for what it is used, and what is not used for what it is learned, and it is at a loss.”

Kou Zhun gave Yan Shu a hard look: Although this bastard from the south is an eyesore, he still knows what is right and wrong at critical moments.

In fact, similar criticisms have been made in recent years, but Zhao Heng never really paid attention to them.

The only change that has been made is the 'concurrent policy theory' that was mentioned a few years ago.

Until today, when he admired Lu Ci's theory better than Cai Qi's Fu, but was embarrassed by the fact that Fu was higher than theory in the old system, and it was difficult to be the first name, he did not face this problem squarely.

When almost everyone was in favor of changing the rules for selecting scholars based on poems and prose, only Wang Qinruo, who had the worst antagonism with Kou Zhun but who was valued by Zhao Heng because of the matter of "creating gods in heavenly scriptures", stood up.

He and Kou Zhun had a long-standing grudge, and when the two faced each other for a long time, even though he didn't know who Lu Ci was, since Kou Zhun tried his best to recommend him, he sang the opposite tune without hesitation: "I don't think so. Fu is small and exquisite. However, it is necessary to refer to the topic, and if it can be explained smoothly, the reasoning of the evidence is very precise. Although the policy theory has a purpose, but it is correct during the period, and it is often forced to speak. If you follow the method of the ancestors, you will get a lot. It can be seen that the textual research Schooling literature and art has its own rules and regulations, so there is no need to think about changes for one child, so as to grow the trouble of frivolity."

"Follow the old system?" Kou Zhun sneered coldly: "According to what you said, everything follows the Tang system. Shouldn't the youngest Jinshi and rank be Tanhualang?! Then what is there to fight for?"

Wang Qinruo said calmly, "It's not right to be honored. He's only seventeen years old. It's a great honor to be a Hualang. Why not? But Mr. Kou is so eager. If he wants to let people who don't know see him, he might mistakenly think that he wants to do it." The champion is not someone else, but your son."

Seeing that this bastard was deliberately trying to spoil his good deeds, and also exposed his childless scar, Kou Zhun's eyes widened instantly, and he was about to explode on the spot.

Fortunately, Wang Dan, who was familiar with his bad temper, reacted quickly enough and stomped on him hard. Just before the two began to taunt each other again, he calmly led the officials to leave in time.

But before resigning, Wang Dan sighed and added a few sentences as if unintentionally: "How easy is Tianruian to get? Sanyuan Jidi, in fact, can be called Ruiying once in a hundred years."

For Kou Zhun, who is virtuous but has a bad temper, and Wang Dan, who takes the world as his own responsibility, even if he is "slandered" by the other party time and time again, he still chooses to be kind and tolerant.

But for Wang Qinruo, Ding Wei and others, who urged His Majesty to create gods and create heaven and earth, caused a waste of people and money, and caused him to be forced to get involved in this dirty water, Wang Dan didn't have the slightest affection for Wang Qinruo and Ding Wei. up.

Wang Qinruo couldn't help squinting his eyes.

Although the voice was soft, it was enough for Zhao Heng to hear clearly.

Zhao Heng couldn't help showing a thoughtful look on his face.

The palace room, which was so noisy just now, quickly returned to quiet.

The courtiers standing beside him couldn't help but feel uneasy and didn't dare to vent their anger, but Zhao Heng didn't have any entanglements at this time. He held a vermilion pen, smiled relievedly, and decisively wrote down the most suitable ranking in his mind...

Roll call day.

Emperor Zhao Hengyu Chongzheng Palace, palace examiners, provincial examiners, chancellors, and other officials entered the hall together and stood aside.

And more than 500 tribute candidates who should take the palace examination, dressed in their best clothes, tried their best to suppress the tension and anticipation in their hearts, and waited quietly outside the gate of Chongzheng Palace.

Apparently, it understands the anxiety of the applicants. While waiting for the roll call, the Royal Medicine Academy did not have strict requirements on the queue, but sent many strong and healthy guards to stand on the sidelines and watch over them, ready to go out of line at any time. The mover presses away.

Compared with pushing forward desperately, thinking that if he gets closer to the gate of the temple, he can hear other people with the same name as himself earlier, after playing like crazy for the past few days, Lu Ci's mentality is unprecedentedly peaceful.

Because the emperor was sitting at the imperial table during the hall examination, while Zaizhi and Zhongshu Shilang who were standing stood apart the examination papers according to the rankings drawn up in advance, and after watching them together, they rolled their names at the gate of the pavilion one by one.

There were six or seven guards standing under the steps of the pavilion. When they heard this, they immediately called out the name of the Dengke scholar in unison.

The shout is as loud as thunder around the palace, and the scholars should come out after three or four repeated shouts.

Therefore, there is no need to worry about missing your own name if you stand far away.

Those who should come will definitely come, and those who will not come will never come, so why bother to squeeze?Could it be that because of standing at the front, the ranking will also be higher?

nonexistent.

After Lu Ci successfully persuaded his friends with the poisoned chicken soup, they stood at the end of the crowd with the appearance of having a heart attack at any time, avoiding the discomfort of being crowded.

From time to time, I chatted with them in a low voice, so as to distract them, and to avoid fainting before the name was sung.

Liu Qi is undoubtedly the only one among the four who has had a similar experience, but he is also the one who can't understand Xiao Taotie's calmness at this moment.

Last time, he experienced the hesitation at the beginning, the uneasiness in the middle, and the sadness and disappointment at the end. This time, even if he had some confidence in his own performance, he became confused in this familiar scene. Nothing left.

Who knows if it will happen again?

I still remember that day, when the guards under the steps recited the more than 100 people, he looked enviously at the people around him who walked into the hall in high spirits to enjoy the glory, and tried to calm down, but in the end he couldn't wait for his name. scene……

Seeing Liu Qi's appearance of being worried and distracted at times, Lu Ci couldn't help raising his eyebrows, and suddenly said, "Brother Liu, listen to the question."

Liu Qi was taken aback.

Before Liu Qi came back to his senses, Lu Ci had already read leisurely: "When Chen She was young, he used to work as a farmer, and on the ridge where he stopped plowing, he regretted it for a long time, saying...?"

Just as Liu Qi wanted to answer the question, Zhu Shuo, who had been eavesdropping all the time, quickly answered: "If you are rich, you will never forget."

Lu Ci patted Zhu Shuo on the shoulder very relievedly: "Brother Zhu is still self-conscious. But I'm not worried about you, Brother Zhu."

Zhu couldn't help laughing.

Only then did Liu Qi understand, and he couldn't laugh or cry: "Could it be that Yu Yu was born missing a vein, so he doesn't know why he is nervous and flustered?"

They were all standing in front of the gate of the Chongzheng Palace, waiting for the roll call. Everyone was so nervous that they were sweating profusely, and their legs were trembling. Only Lu Ci still had the leisurely attitude of going outing on weekdays, and even had time to tease him. them.

Teng Zongliang was also affected by Lu Ci's quietness, he let out a sigh of relief, and joked: "If you really count, brother Yu Yu is the one who is most likely to become rich."

Zhu said that he nodded in agreement.

Lu Ci smiled, and was about to answer, when Xu Ran pushed open the door of the palace from the inside, and the seven guards, who behaved unsmilingly, stood at the bottom of the steps.

Obviously, after this period of waiting that seemed extremely long in the eyes of everyone, the preparation process for Chuanlu has been completed.

And the first name that can be read out by Zaizhi himself in front of the emperor, and then shouted by these seven people in unison, is the number one scholar in this round of tribute examinations, the number one in the world among all the candidates.

That is really the most honorable thing in a scholar's life, and future generations can be proud of it.

Except for Lu Ci who was able to maintain a calm smile because he felt that the matter had nothing to do with him, no matter how calm and self-possessed he was, he couldn't help holding his breath at this moment, and his eyes widened.

They stared at the direction of the Chongzheng palace where the officials and the examiners were, and repeated in their hearts countless times, hoping that the first person to be read out was themselves and themselves——

In the dead silence where a needle could be heard, a voice suddenly rang out in the hall, calling out only one name.

But because they were too far away and the voice was not loud enough, even the people in the front row could only hear a few vague syllables.

When the people in the front row were in a hurry, the seven guards who were closer than them and could hear them clearly raised their heads and shouted out the names they had just heard with the loudest voice. .

——"Lu Ci countermeasures Chongzheng Palace, promoted to the first place, and now he is the leader of the world, and will be awarded Jinshi and rank."

The author has something to say: Lu Ci: I am not, I am not, don’t talk nonsense

Notes:

1. I will write in detail the process of the roll call in this chapter and tomorrow's chapter, so I won't make notes here.

If you are interested in the process of the classical Chinese version, you can read Liu Yiqing's "Qiantang Legacy" Volume [-]

2. "Stupid" is the label Wang Dan put on Kou Zhun.He is really protective of Kou Zhun...

Kou Zhun is an informal character.He worked in another county. On his birthday, he built a huge wedding shed and held a banquet for the guests. Not to mention the extravagant costumes he used, there was also a violation of the system.He offended too many people, so he was denounced by others.

Zhenzong was very unhappy, and said to Wang Dan: "Kou Zhun wants to imitate me in everything, is that okay?"

Wang Dan was very quiet, as if listening to an insignificant matter, and slowly replied: "Kou Zhun is a virtuous person, but what can you do about his 'stupidness'!"

After some words, Zhenzong's pimples disappeared, and he said: "Yes, this is just 'stupid'."

A possible prison disappeared invisible.

("300 Years of the Great Song Empire 7-Zhenzong Zhao Hengxia")

3. Although Wang Dan failed to persevere in his opposition to Zhenzong's farce of creating gods, he did try his best.

To make a big picture, you must have the support of Zhongshu. If the current Zaifu does not support it, then it will not be possible.Emperor Zhenzong Zhao Heng decided to bribe the prime minister Wang Dan.He first sent Wang Qinruo to persuade Wang Dan, but Wang Dan made a gesture of pondering and hesitating.After Zhenzong learned the information, he found an opportunity to invite Wang Dan to a banquet in the inner hall. At the banquet, the emperor and his ministers talked and laughed happily.When parting, Zhenzong gave Wang Dan a sealed pot of fine wine and said to him:

"This wine is excellent, take it home and enjoy it with your family."

Wang Dan took it home, opened it and saw that there was a pot full of jewels inside.

Wang Dan should be thinking about it, but this matter is scarier than the edict.The edict can be dismissed and disobeyed; but the emperor bribed you, what should you do?Although Wang Dan is a generation of virtuous ministers, he also has the responsibility of "taking the world as his own responsibility". All the excellent ministers in the Song Dynasty did not lack this quality, but they also had a helpless weakness at the same time. "The greed.Wang Fuzhi believed that this was a common problem among ministers in the Song Dynasty.Wang Dan is no exception.After much deliberation, he decided to join this chess game and be a pawn crossing the river - only forward, not backward.

From then on, Wang Dan no longer held any objection to the "shinto teaching".

("300 Years of the Great Song Empire 7-Zhenzong Zhao Hengxia")

4. Various viewpoints on explaining the disadvantages of tribute weightlifting poems and prose, from "General History of China's Imperial Examination System-Song Dynasty Volume"

It's what Ouyang Xiu, Fan Zhongyan and others said.

However, it took several decades from the point of view to the real reform, and then returned to its original form after the abolition of the New Deal in the fourth year of Qingli. It was only after Wang Anshi's reform that the status of poetry and prose was completely removed.