Royal road

In the not-so-spacious hall, there are more than ten desks, and a young scholar is sitting in front of each desk.There are so many people crowded in the room, but there is no noise at all, only the rustling of the pen tip across the paper.

Chen Chong was also immersed in copying books.He lives in Tunliu, and he just came to the county mansion after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.Originally, he only planned to copy books for a month in the library before returning home.Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the library, he was dazzled by the book collectors here, and stayed until now in one breath.Fortunately, there is a dormitory specially prepared for scholars in the library, otherwise he might not even be able to live in the post pavilion.

Rao is so, the money and food brought are also spent.Just like now, before noon, his stomach began to whine and gurgle non-stop.Fortunately, there were a lot of hungry people in the study room, and some copyists forgot to eat, so his borborygmus did not attract attention.

But even though he was very hungry, Chen Chong didn't stop the brush in his hand, but became more focused.Under his pen, one character after another falls on the yellowish paper, like flowing spring water, which makes people feel refreshed.This is the No.20 book he transcribed.As long as he finishes copying this volume, he can use the five volumes of blank paper he bought to copy the bibliography he wants.

Unlike other people, Chen Chong hurriedly copied something after getting a rewarded book.Instead, carefully record each book that has been copied in my heart, choose the ones worth copying, and prepare to copy them down together.The paper book sent by the county government is quite thick, if the handwriting is smaller, I am afraid I can copy more!

With such enthusiasm, hunger seems to be far away.One stroke at a time, Chen Chong carefully copied the words on the bamboo slips onto the paper, never daring to slack off.

After writing for another half an hour, a bell rang outside the window.As if awakened by the sound, everyone put down the paper and pens in their hands, took out the wooden bowls they carried with them, and walked outside.

Chen Chong hurriedly put away the pen and paper, got up and followed the crowd.This is the time when the library distributes porridge and water. Twice a day, everyone can receive two bowls of hot soup.Sometimes it's not rice porridge, but broth with egg flower and vegetables, served with dry food, which can last half a day.

For the poor scholars who go to the library to copy books, this is a rare delicacy.Naturally, Chen Chong would not miss this important meal.

About ten steps away from the ear room, a strong fragrance wafted out.Chen Chong's mouth immediately secreted saliva, and the taste was fish soup!

Unexpectedly, there was fish soup today, and the scholars in front were also excited.They hurriedly lined up and handed the bowls to the servants guarding the soup pot one by one.The servant was also a tactful person, without any arrogance at all, instead he served the soup with a smile on his face, and from time to time told him greetings such as "Be careful of burning your hands" and "Is this portion enough?", which was extremely considerate. place.

Finally it was his turn, Chen Chong hurriedly handed over the wooden bowl, the servant scooped up a full bowl lightly, and handed it back: "Mr.

Chen Chong took the wooden bowl and walked to a row of tables on the side. At this moment, there were already several people sitting side by side on the table, and he didn't think it was too crowded, so he sat down next to another person.Today's fish soup is thick and milky white, with a few slices of green onion floating on it, smelling carefully, it is still a little spicy ginger.The fishy smell was completely covered, and only a little bit of oil floating on it could be seen.

Such a bowl of soup is really appetizing in this chilly spring season!Chen Chong took out the dry food in his pocket, tore it up and soaked it in fish soup.The dry and hard pancakes are soaked in soup, and immediately become soft and delicious.Scooping it up with a wooden spoon, he ate it heartily.

They are all young people, and they have been copying books all morning, who cares about food?There were also the sounds of swallowing and drinking soup, Chen Chong was thinking about today's manuscript, and ate faster than others.After a while, I finished a bowl, and got up to fill a bowl of soup, trying to fill my stomach with soup.

At this time, someone beside me chatted: "Can we really go to the Shangsi Tour Banquet hosted by the Fujun?"

"That's right. I heard that anyone who copies books in the library is eligible to participate in the banquet..."

"Ah, is it possible that the governor wants to promote us?"

"Perhaps it is to open the preface of the county government, so that we can also enter school?"

It's simply rude to chat like this during a meal.But after hearing this, who cares about etiquette!All of them listened to those people chatting with their ears upright.Chen Chong drank the soup a little slower, the Fujun really let them participate in the Shangsi Tour Banquet?Isn't that only the nobles are eligible to go?Is it okay for these humble men?

However, the bowl of soup was drunk to the end, and the discussion over there did not explain why.Chen Chong sighed, and after cleaning the wooden bowl, he quickly returned to the desk.Instead of worrying about this, it is better to enrich your knowledge first, as long as you have a solid talent and learning, there will always be a bright future!

It's just that Chen Chong didn't expect this day to come so quickly.

A few days later, it was Shangsi.As those people said, the Lord Fu invited all the scholars in the library to a banquet.Rao was a little psychologically prepared, and Chen Chong was also very nervous.Putting on his best clothes, he followed everyone in the library to the bank of the Zhangshui River.

There are two branches of Zhangshui, clear and turbid. The Qingzhang water originates from the Taihang Mountains, and the water quality is clear.Zhuozhang water is divided into three sources, all of which come from Shangdang. There is a lot of sediment and the water quality is turbid.Because of its large water potential, it was called "Lushui" in the pre-Qin period, so the city by the river was named Lucheng.Such a big river that infiltrates and nourishes the water and soil of one area is of course the most suitable place for Shangsi's banquet.

It didn't use silk to make curtains, nor did it lay brocade lichens. The prefect's mansion simply chose a place with green mountains and green waters, and held a banquet with natural elegance.Therefore, even if the clothes are simple and the family background is not high, the poor family scholars will not feel that they are out of place with the atmosphere here.However, when the new prefect appeared in front of him, Chen Chong still felt ashamed.

Words can't describe the appearance of this mansion!Whether it is the face or the demeanor, they can be regarded as the top grade, bright like the moon, bright like the breeze, making people forget the vulgarity!

The heart that had just been let go tightened up again, and Chen Chong felt that sweat was coming out of his forehead.How would such a celebrity test them?Reciting poems and composing fus, combining piano and music?Even if it's just an examination of the classics and history of Yili, it won't be so easy!And as a poor scholar, even though he has read a lot of new books these days, his foundation is still pitiful, how can he show his talents in front of this Fujun?

He didn't pay attention to the group of scholars below. As the prefect, Liang Feng presided over the exorcism ceremony first.Different from last year's gala shamans by the Jinshui River, this time the shaman is simple and solemn. The shaman offers water in a copper basin, and then washes the filth with willow branches, and then takes eggs and floats down the water to bring blessings to the people.

After all this is done, the real spring feast has just begun.

Without putting on a playful gesture, Liang Feng sat on the main seat, and said to the people below: "Today, Shangsi, I should have a cup of water flowing, enjoying the spring scenery. But the Huns are powerful, and I am in danger of going to the party. Therefore, today, it is time to examine the lords and select talents. Ren Xian."

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the audience.Those present are not only poor scholars, there are also many children of noble families.I am used to seeing Shangguan go on a spring outing, but I have never seen this kind of Shangsi festival being used for school examinations.How can it not be surprising?

However, some people were surprised, and some people were overjoyed.Chen Chong clasped his hands on his knees, his body trembling slightly, what those people said was really good, it's about selecting materials!But with so many people, can they choose themselves?

Chen Chong trembled even more when he heard that Fu Jun started to write a question.too difficult!It turned out that Liang Feng's question was neither classic nor easy, nor difficult to discuss, but a question of strategy!Taking the politics of one place as the topic, how can it be easy to deal with the examination of the white-bodied scholars present in the school?The pen and paper were handed out, but Chen Chong felt his mind was empty and couldn't think of how to answer.Write some high-sounding words casually, and deal with it?After picking up the pen several times and putting it down several times, Chen Chong gritted his teeth and started writing about farming.

This is also the agricultural book he read when he came to the library.Most scholars copy books, only picking up the Five Classics and various commentaries, and don't pay much attention to books in other directories.This is also what it should mean, after all, classics and history are the foundation of scholarship.However, the scope of books copied by Chen Chong is wider.

For one thing, too many people copied classics and history, and the copies were already enough. The library deliberately diverted them, so that scholars could copy more other books.Chen Chong didn't want to compete with others, so he chose a lot of books on geography and farming to transcribe.The second is his own little thought.As long as the library is not closed, one day, he will be able to see those commentaries on classics and history, and he can even choose the best ones to copy and take home.But miscellaneous books can't do it, even he might not be willing to use precious paper for it.So if you can read more, read more, and copy it again to deepen your memory.In this way, what I know will expand a bit.Since it can be made into a book, it has its own preciousness, how can I miss it?

Now it seems that this choice is really right.At least the writing will not be empty.

It took more than half an hour to write an essay, and many people around him had already handed in the answer sheets, so Chen Chongcai barely finished it.After careful examination twice, he swallowed his saliva and handed the answer sheet to the servants.However, after handing it in, Chen Chong felt remorseful and regretful again. Was what he wrote too straightforward?It was originally about farming, and it was written in a straightforward manner. How can there be half a penny at all?Doesn't such an answer make people look down upon it?

It was like being in a charcoal stove, Chen Chong felt his heart was on fire, fearful and regretful, wishing he could leave the banquet immediately and escape cleanly.However, Fu Jun's grading was much faster than expected. After a short time, he had already started to comment on the winners and asked questions by name.There was no way to escape. Looking at the scholars who came forward one by one, Chen Chong felt all hope was lost.

Sure enough, most of them were from the gentry, and some of them were praised by the governor.Also, the gentry are deeply rooted and deeply rooted in the local area. Many people are very clear about current affairs, and naturally there are more people who can answer.And these humble children, if they weren't talented, who would have the opportunity to come into contact with these?

It was just disheartened that a clear voice suddenly sounded: "Where is Chen Wenhuan?"

With a jolt, Chen Chong sat up straight: "Small, that's the boy!"

Only when the jade man looked over from the main seat, did Chen Chong react, he quickly got up, walked quickly to the front of the stage, and knelt down to salute again: "The boy is Chen Wenhuan, see the lord."

Liang Feng looked him up and down: "Are you a scholar who copied books in the library? I remember that your name is among the people who copied the most."

Chen Chong couldn't even kneel down!Fu Jun actually paid attention to the number of copies?He devoted himself to saving blank paper books, but he copied a few more than others, but unexpectedly, he caught the eyes of the Fujun!But he actually wrote such a bad essay, has he wasted his best chance?

Unexpectedly, Liang Feng smiled: "I never thought that there are people who start with farming. How many books on farming have you copied?"

Chen Chong stammered: "Yes, there is such a thing... Farming, farming is the foundation of the people's livelihood, and I want to know a thing or two..."

"It's rare to have this kind of heart." Liang Feng nodded and said, "Talents who manage the world should belong to the court, but you also need to have people who are down-to-earth and benefit the people. Although your ideas are not new, they are also worthwhile. Tomorrow, go to the county mansion and wait for orders."

As soon as these words came out, the audience buzzed.Who would have thought that a scholar from a poor family would win the favor of the prince by virtue of farming!Aren't the current choices all of them all of good character, demeanor and charm?How can it be so measured? !

However, who here dare to refute what Fujun said?Chen Chong's head was dizzy, and he bowed down tremblingly.He was selected?Being valued by the governor, can he enter the county residence?Even if it's just for a small official, it's much faster than I thought!

A surge of enthusiasm rushed into the eye sockets.Chen Chong clenched his teeth, controlling himself not to burst into tears on the spot.He came from a poor family since he was a child, and his background was not outstanding, let alone those well-known talents and learning, but the Fujun still chose him because of his diligence and hard work.This kind of Shangguan is what he dreams of, and he can serve him to death!

I must not live up to this appreciation!

Kneeling deeply on the ground, Chen Chong held back his tears, and bowed to the people on the stage again.