Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

While everyone's attention was focused on the smiling official Zhao Heng, Lu Ci calmly glanced at the exquisite and delicious imperial meals one by one.

Even though he hasn't really entered it yet, the excellent appearance has already ignited his strong expectations.

Before he could actually taste the dish, however, he had to write a thank you poem.

Lu Ci secretly sighed in his heart.

The big troubles and obstacles in his eyes are the glory that others only dream of.

The poems I wrote to praise His Majesty's brilliance, martial arts, martial arts, can be heard by His Majesty personally, without commenting on them, or they will be recited in front of a group of top-ranked Jinshi, and recorded in the book by the official historian. ...

Such an infinite scenery can be described as the best of the five glory.

When Lu Ci closed his eyes and meditated under the watchful eyes of everyone, the guards had already spread the best rice paper on the case, put pens and ink on it, and waited quietly by the side.

It made the top three of the first class of poems all behave cautiously, pondered over and over again, and refused to write for a long time.

Because Lu Ci was thinking about the delicacies that are easy to get cold, and because he had figured out the idea when he was sitting alone in the gazebo, he became the one who wrote the pen the fastest among the three.

Fortunately, the proposition is clear at a glance, the central idea is self-evident, and there is no strict official rhyme.

All you need to do is flatter and talk nonsense, and Lu Ci is quite handy about this.

He calmed down, brushed his pen with ease, and the smooth flow from pen writing to finishing pen fell on the eyes of other scholars who watched quietly, which was actually a kind of pleasing enjoyment.

Not seeing him having a moment of extra pause, he finished this "Chongzheng Palace Bestows Scholars and the Second Poem of Thanksgiving" in one go.

Seeing that Lu Ci had already put away the pen, Cai Qi and Xiao Guan, who were still hesitant, hurriedly started writing too, not wanting to be too far behind.

This is exactly what Lu Ci wanted.

The guards quickly collected the poems of the three and handed them over to the officials for review.

Zhao Heng likes Lu Ci the most at this time. When looking through the poems, more or less because he loves the house and the crow, he loves this poem written by Lu Ci the most.

He didn't even give it to the guards to read, but read a few words himself: "Govern the Tao, cultivate the Ming and Qingning, and the emperor's power will shake the world. The knowledge of the emperor is rich in spring and autumn, and the emperor's merits are as good as nine days... worthy of my Lu Sanyuan , really well written!"

The officials made no secret of the intimacy and appreciation in their tone, and praised Lu Ci so much that it made all the scholars feel sore, and they couldn't help looking at Lu Ci who was smiling and thanking Lu Ci with red eyes.

Why is it Lu Ci again?

They muttered silently.

Your Majesty really does not love this Lu Sanyuan whom he was hand-picked.

Cai Qi and Xiao Guan, who were just faintly envious and envious, also made poems, but were only casually reviewed by the officials, nodded perfunctorily, and handed over to the guards to recite, the sense of loss in their hearts became even greater.

Only Zhu Shuo and Liu Qi looked at Lu Ci with the same warmth and sincerity as before.

After Lu Ci thanked him, he looked at the two friends and couldn't help feeling warm in his heart. He also felt very helpless for Zhao Heng who treated him differently, which was like putting him on the fire.

Thanks to the fact that these people are unlikely to work with him in the future, even if there is such a day, the influence of that day will be completely eliminated.

Otherwise...

Lu Ci didn't miss the subtle unhappiness of the flashing smiles on Cai Qi and Xiao Guan's faces, and couldn't help raising his eyebrows.

Especially these two, it's no wonder that they don't have any grudges in their hearts.

However, Zhao Heng's extra favor was not over yet.

After all the top two scholars sat down cautiously with unconcealed excitement, Zhao Heng raised his glass first, took a sip of the wine, and asked his ministers to serve him dishes.

After the official moved the chopsticks symbolically, the servants looked at me and I looked at you. After being cautious for a long time, they finally watched Lu Ci calmly and gracefully hold the chopsticks, and put a red burnt meat pie into the bowl Finally, I can relax and eat.

What no one knew was that Lu Ci, the hottest new top scholar, had been eyeing this red-burnt meat pie for a long time.

As soon as he took a small bite tentatively, he was wrapped in the crispy but not crumbly fragrant skin. The tender noodle cake, coupled with the temperature was just right, slowly overflowed with this bite, but it was just right and quickly condensed on the index finger. The delicious gravy in the finely moving bacon mince is completely conquered.

A seemingly simple dish looks like an ordinary piece of meat pie, but after tasting it carefully, anyone who is a little knowledgeable can immediately taste the variety of cooking techniques used in this fast meat pie and the precision of the fire. , the fineness of the seasoning, the harshness of the ingredients...all of them are fine and refined.

Lu Ci, who swallowed this extremely delicious meatloaf after tasting all the juice from his nostalgic lips and teeth while chewing, couldn't help but let out a soft sigh of satisfaction.

I really didn't expect that in the Northern Song Dynasty, without the fine kitchen utensils of modern times, such delicious food could be made.

After Lu Ci used up this piece of red charred meat pie in a slow manner, he was not in a hurry to use the next piece, but he also had a lot of expectations for other dishes. Very smallpox cake...

Unlike Lu Ci who concentrated on savoring every mouthful of the delicious imperial meal and didn't want to spoil this rare experience, the other Xinke scholars obviously didn't care about drinking.

Zhao Heng acted kind and friendly, so they dared to sneak peeks at Sheng Yan from time to time, thinking about how to have a chance to show off, while eating gracefully, it was inevitable that they would feel a little uninspired.

Zhao Heng had a panoramic view of everyone's reactions, and couldn't help but take a look.

Compared with these people who have their own thoughts, no matter whether it is taking the exam, thanking you, or having a meal, Lu Ci, who has no other distractions and is open and frank, really suits him more.

It is worthy of being the talent he personally selected, the number one pick he personally selected.

Zhao Heng stared at Lu Ci who was devoting himself to savoring the delicious food and missed every dish for a while, then smiled suddenly, turned his head sideways, and gave a few words of advice to the courtier who hurried over.

Surprise flashed across the minister's face, but he quickly restrained the change in expression and explained to the guards.

This little movement naturally aroused the disciples who had been paying attention to the movement over there.

It's just that after the guards took the order and left, they waited for a while and nothing happened. After they decided that it had nothing to do with them, they stopped guessing.

The time for half a stick of incense passed by.

While drinking and drinking, the others ate with restraint, fearing that they would lose their manners and leave a bad impression on the officials. As a result, nearly half of the dishes in front of them were left.

Only Lu Ciqian's seven dishes were wiped out by him in a very elegant and beautiful manner.

Lu Ci stared at the empty porcelain plate, still feeling a little unfinished.

It's a pity that this is in the inner courtyard of the palace, not in the hotel where he ordered food.

Lu Ci only tasted the only fruit tea left at hand, and chatted with a little regret for comfort.

He just took a sip absently, and suddenly saw all the dishes that had been swept away before him were removed by the guards, and then presented several new dishes that were completely different from the previous ones.

Honey floating crisps and flowers, Taiping Biluo dry rice, steamed buns and yellow sparrow bream alone.

"Excuse me, is this...?"

Lu Ci turned his head slightly in surprise, and asked the guard in a low voice.

The official issue will not start until the day after the roll call ends.

This banquet, which only the top two Jinshi are eligible to participate in, is different from the formal banquet that will be held in Qionglin Garden opposite Jinming Pond tomorrow, and the dishes on offer are all definite.

Even Lu Ci, as the number one scholar, also served seven dishes, without any special treatment.

If it wasn't for the impoliteness and too many people watching, both Liu Qi and Zhu Shuo could not wait to give their share of the dishes to Lu Ci.

Why is there a good thing to offer a continuation now?

The guard had already prepared for this question, and when he heard the words, he bowed his head respectfully and saluted, and then replied concisely: "This is Your Majesty's honor."

Lu Ci: "..."

The emperor's reward is actually so real?

When he subconsciously looked at the official, it happened that Zhao Heng was also observing his reaction with great interest.

As soon as their eyes met, Lu Ci saluted subconsciously, but Zhao Heng just waved his hand and smiled again.

Lu Ci bowed slightly again, counted it as a thank you, and accepted the favor generously.

He calmly basked in the envious eyes of the people who overheard the reply, and without hesitation, he wiped out these exquisite but insufficient dishes one by one.

After enjoying the royal meal in the palace that was hard-won after several years of hard study, the emperor bestowed robes and wats on the new scholars.

When the other scholars were still hesitating whether to put on the light yellow silk shirt, Lu Ci folded the silk shirt and put the green Luo official uniform directly on the white shirt neatly, and then It is appropriate enough to bow your head and tie a light yellow belt.

From Lu Ci's point of view, putting a silk shirt on top of a blouse would only look bloated and ridiculous.Moreover, the purpose of the emperor's robes and wats was to show his grace and grace, and it was impossible to blame them for some minor flaws in manners.

However, the color of this uniform...

The corner of Lu Ci's mouth twitched imperceptibly.

Thank goodness I didn't deliver an official hat of the same color.

When the other scholars saw it, they hurriedly followed Lu Ci's example, putting on the green robes in a hurry, and then fastened the belts. The scene was noisy for a while.

It's just that after they put it on, they secretly compared it with Lu Ci's, and they immediately became depressed.

How can one not be as good as others in knowledge, not as good as others, and in the end wear clothes of the same style, but still not as good as others?

They didn't expect that they would be bored studying at home all year round, and most of them didn't even step out of the door, and didn't worry about mundane affairs.

So the body is either as thin as a bamboo pole, or a little fat.

This green robe is purposely made wide, and when a rich scholar puts it on, it looks like a mountain without any aesthetic feeling, while when a thin scholar puts it on, it looks as empty as nothing underneath.

Except for Liu Qi who always cared about his image, there were not many people present who were born clothes hangers like Lu Ci. Even if they just casually put on a green robe, they could easily show the chic and suave appearance of Linfeng Yushu, which was resplendent and impressive.

Lu Ci was used to other people's scrutiny, and he just lowered his head and concentrated on playing with the 'Wat' he had seen before. He patted his palm lightly, as if he found it interesting, and the corners of his lips twitched.

Liu Qi couldn't help but rubbed her eyes.

For some reason, I always feel that Brother Yuyu's temperament has changed a bit.

Otherwise, why is it such a simple movement, the other party does it with a kind of coquettish and lazy look?

Some slow-moving people have not had time to fasten their belts, and the car to send them out of the palace is already ready.

Lu Ci, who was the number one scholar, Cai Qi, who was second in the list, and Xiao Guan, who was in the middle of the list, thanked him first, then bowed to the gate of the palace with Chihuang in his arms, and left the palace.

Even though Lu Ci was still concerned about the results of Teng Zongliang's palace examination, it was impossible for him to stay in the palace.

However, the reading of the lower three is much simpler than that of the first two, and there is no glory of calling in one by one and answering the names of the three generations of ancestors in front of the emperor.

Instead, the two guards arranged 15 people on the paper with their names written on it in order, greeted Xiangguan, and after checking their identities, they were brought into the hall in groups, going through a process like chasing ducks.

After the collective thanksgiving, they were directly taken out of the hall and went to the upper corridor to get the robes and wats.

Unlike the previous one-by-one delivery, they had to fight for the claim by themselves, and the scene was a bit chaotic.

However, before they finished putting on their shirts and tying them, they were urged to go back to the hall to thank them, and after paying their respects, they were sent out together.

Since it was a chariot sent by the palace, even a bold man would not dare to block him in the street, so he could only watch the carriages carrying the Xinke scholars spread out from the palace gate, and the green-clothed man sent back to their homes.

They are not discouraged.

After all, the best time to grab a son-in-law is when the scholars rush to the stock market tomorrow in groups.

And when Lu Ci learned for the first time through Liu Qi's mouth that all Jinshi students would have to bring their own saddle horses to rush to the stock market tomorrow, he almost didn't doubt his own cognition.

How could the court of the Northern Song Dynasty go to such an extent that they had to bear such a small fee by themselves?

However, it was unbelievable to be unbelievable, tomorrow's set must not be missed, so Lu Ci could only send his servants out dumbfounded, so that he could hire four horses in advance.

If Teng Zongliang was unlucky and failed to enroll, it would not be too late to subtract another horse.

When Lu Ci gave the order, he hadn't noticed Liu Qi's meaningful eyes.

Liu Qi couldn't hide her sympathy, thinking that Little Taotie was so calm because he didn't know what kind of bloody storm would be like tomorrow.

Leaving aside the fact that Xiao Taotie is highly favored, not to mention the rare Sanyuan Jidi, not to mention this incomparably eye-catching appearance.

Just saying that he is the No. [-] scholar in the new department is enough to make all the dignitaries with daughters in Beijing beat their heads.

How could it be possible to protect him with just those few healthy servants?

Gee tut.

Liu Qi could already imagine that his little Taotie might not be able to come back if he left this door tomorrow, so he couldn't help but shook his head.

Zhu said that seeing Liu Qi staring at Lu Ci without speaking, and only doing some inexplicable actions, he couldn't help frowning, feeling a little vigilant.

However, just as the healthy servant opened the door, before he could take a step, the courtier who was around the official family whom he had seen not long ago in the Chongzheng Palace came in with a smile.

"Lu Ci accepts the imperial edict."

Just like last time, he came here this time to read the emperor's edict.

"I personally choose Yingmao, and I will be promoted to the first and second ranks. The most important thing is the top group of talents. It is appropriate to treat you preferentially... It is appropriate to order Zuo Jinwu to send 14 people as guides, and allow two quarters."

The reason why Zhao Heng gave Lu Ci such preferential treatment was that besides his liking for Lu Ci's ability to advance and retreat, and his good looks, he also had the consideration that he was the second ternary and the number one scholar in the new division that he hadn't seen in decades. .

In the eyes of the lively emperor, if Lu Ci, who is the only one in the family with a widowed mother and few servants, is allowed to go out of the street like this, he might not be able to reach Qionglin Garden at all, and he would have been forcibly taken away by some son-in-law .

After Lu Ci was given those few dishes, he had a taste of the emperor's unreasonable style of rewarding.

In addition, he was tortured by some TV dramas in later generations, and he didn't know whether the previous champion of the new division had ever enjoyed the precedent of the Jinwu Guard to clear the way.

So he was only taken aback for a moment, then thanked him and said: "Thank you Lord Long En."

It saved him money and trouble.

After reading, the courtier personally bent down, put the edict into Lu Ci's hands, and said intimately: "Your Majesty has not seen such a scene of honoring a new scholar in the new department for many years. If Lu Sanyuan has a good opportunity, remember to thank you That's right."

Lu Ci smiled: "Thank you for the reminder."

This time, there was no need to avoid suspicion too much, so he personally sent the courtier, who had voluntarily released his kindness for the second time, into the carriage.

After sending the person away, he turned around and met the stunned Liu Qi and the others.

Zhu said that his eyes were full of little stars he admired.

Lu Ci was amused by Liu Qi's weird expression, he patted Zhu Shuo on the shoulder, and asked, "What's wrong, brother Liu?"

Liu Qi couldn't help shaking her head, yearning, longing, and admiring.

He murmured: "It's a waste of me worrying about you."

It is conceivable that by the time of tomorrow's collection, there will be fourteen heroic Jinwu guards under the special edict of the emperor, who will clear the way for Lu Ci with great fanfare, and then ride tall horses to escort him all the way into Qionglin Garden. What a sensation it will be in the capital, what arouses the envy of the common people, and what an honor for Lu Ci!

Just imagining the incredible scene, the protagonist is still his favorite little Taotie, Liu Qi is almost so excited that he danced with joy.

Lu Ci had no idea what Liu Qi was getting excited about, and he looked at Zhu Shuo speechlessly, both of them shook their heads.

After tossing around for such a day, they were very tired besides being excited, and they didn't bother to talk to Liu Qi anymore.

It's just that the day is not over yet.

After receiving the crazy congratulations from Zhong Yuan and Yi Shu, after two hours passed, Teng Zongliang, who was ranked No. [-], also returned excitedly.

As soon as he entered the door, the first thing he did was hug Lu Ci tightly, and said with a sob: "If there is no encouragement from brother Lu, how could we be lucky today?"

Seeing this familiar scene, Liu Qi couldn't help covering her eyes in embarrassment.

Lu Ci, who had just experienced the surprise attack of Liu Qi who was even more out of control, was much calmer now, and only calmly patted him on the back, reminding: "It's brother Yu Yu, thank you."

Teng Zongliang thought that he did not perform well in the imperial examination, and thought that there was no hope of getting on the list, and he didn't want to see the bright future. Although he fell in the fourth place, it was enough to make him ecstatic.

After thanking the benefactor in his heart for a while, he immediately competed with Liu Qi for the right to treat guests in Fanlou tonight. After winning, he ordered a large table full of dishes with great magnanimity.

The corner of Lu Ci's mouth twitched.

He understood the purpose of the celebration, but...why is it a fish feast again?

If it wasn't for Lu Ci's obstruction, Teng Zongliang would have ordered a row of singing girls to stand in the box and play music for them.

Considering the date set tomorrow, everyone just had a drink and didn't dare to get too drunk, but happy events came one after another, and they still had a good night of carnival.

There were six people in the co-guarantee, four of them were admitted to the imperial examination, and I don't know how many people were shocked.

After washing up, everyone went back to bed, because all the dust had settled and the result was so gratifying, everyone had a good night's sleep.

Only Liu Qi, who had the most delicate and sensitive mind and rich imagination, was overjoyed for Lu Ci, tossing and turning all night, unable to sleep.

Simply a carp sat up straight and lit a candle.

——He wants to write lyrics!

The author has something to say: Notes:

1. Most of the content of the edict comes from "Gongju Miscellaneous Records"

2. The new and the first Jinshi will go to the collection center after the roll call. The number one scholar and other Jinshi need to bring their own saddle horses. "Yan Yi Yi Mo Lu"

3. Part of the poems of thanksgiving are adapted from "Ji Di Xie En and Yuci Poem Rhyme" by the number one scholar Chen Liang, and Wei Liaoweng's "Ji Wei Sang Di Hou Xie En Poems".

4. Wat: A hand board held in the upper court, made of jade, ivory or bamboo slices, on which you can record things

5. "Scholars go out of the palace gate and fight for them in the upper corridor. Often they don't have time to take off their white rags, so they put green robes on them. He gave a light yellow silk shirt with a collar, a light yellow belt, and a green robe. One collar, one side of the wat. Scholars have not finished tying their robes, and the hall will urge them to thank you." (This is about the receiving situation of the lower three armors) "Qiantang Legacy"

6. Regarding the poem of "Zhonggui's fast-moving guards came to ask for gratitude, they immediately changed their robes, wat. It was Shijia who had entered, but he just held his imperial edict and paid homage to the gate of the palace. The three came out first and then put them on again. Riding a Horse" "Wenxi Collection"