[Red Mansion] The third master of jade-like stone treasures

If he doesn't answer this question well, will his test scores plummet this time?

But he never thought that Emperor Zhao would ask such a question before, and he was not prepared at all...

No no no!

With such an obviously embarrassing question, Emperor Zhao was probably hinting at him.

Alluding to everyone in the Jia family?

Bao Cong thought about it silently for a few times, and then replied slowly: "I believe that the emperor breaks the law and commits the same crime as the common people, which is actually a good strategy for governing the country and keeping the people safe."

"As far as I know, since the founding of the country, the laws of our court have undergone two intensive revisions, seven additions, and five minor revisions. They are very rigorous. Therefore, the common people have laws to abide by, and officials have laws to follow."

"The "Historical Records" has a saying: If the law is upright, the country will act smoothly.

Emperor Zhao was silent and did not speak.

Bao Cong couldn't help raising his head slightly, and glanced at Emperor Zhao, only to find that he was smiling.

"Okay!" Emperor Zhao said: "What a good official, and the people can be safe!"

"It's really rare for you to have such insight before entering the officialdom at such a young age. From now on, you must firmly remember what you said today, and don't let me live up to my expectations of you!"

expect? !

Surprised, Bao Cong knelt down and bowed, "Yes, I will definitely live up to my holy hope!"

What does it mean to live up to expectations?

Do you want him to hand over the list honestly?

With a mess in his mind, he retreated to his original seat and stood watching other candidates come forward to answer.

After the top ten candidates had answered Emperor Zhao's questions, all the candidates were led by the imperial eunuch and went to the side hall to rest.

In the Golden Luan Hall, Emperor Zhao was discussing the candidates for Yijia with King Zhongshun and several examiners.

Everyone had no objection to the number one pick, but when the chief examiner Zhang Chong suggested that Bao Cong should be No.3, King Zhongshun raised objections.

"I heard that this Juzi disrespected his elders at home and was disobedient. In our Great Zhou Dynasty, filial piety was the first priority. How can such a person with a lack of virtue be worthy of being an official in the court?"

Facing Emperor Zhao, King Zhongshun acted as if he was conscientiously considering the court, and remonstrated earnestly: "I think it's better to remove him from the list."

Several examiners were very surprised when they heard this. Zhang Chong also did not expect that King Zhongshun would suggest that Bao Cong should fail the ranking directly!

It is unbearable that King Zhongshun despises a few useful talents in the three-year imperial examination!

Zhang Cheng immediately objected: "This Juzi is brilliant in writing, and he is really a rare talent. How can the prince just listen to rumors and conclude that this Juzi's virtue is not good? Could it be selfish? "

Another official who had a good relationship with Zhang Chong also stood up and retorted: "The prince has no real evidence, so it's better not to make rumors. The imperial court holds an imperial examination every three years. Candidates pass through layers of screening, and those who remain are talents. How can you Randomly let people fail?"

King Zhongshun was always used to being arrogant, how could he be afraid of two mere examiners?

He immediately turned around and said displeasedly: "There is no wind without waves, even if it is not true that he is disobedient and unfilial, it is because of his improper behavior that such rumors appear!"

"Young and vigorous, frivolous, how can such a person be regarded as having a lack of virtue?"

Zhang Chong shook his head and insisted: "This young man is young, and it is reasonable to act inappropriately occasionally. Why is the prince so harsh?"

As he said that, he ignored King Zhong and Obedience, and instead said to Emperor Zhao: "I heard that in the past, he also imitated the Holy Majesty and washed the feet of the elders in the family. Such a filial piety, how can he be a rebellious and unfilial generation?"

"Look at the rumors my lord has heard, I'm afraid someone deliberately slandered this judge." He shook his sleeves angrily, and said seriously: "Chao Zhongzheng should put an end to such false rumors! The lord said it like this." , Don’t you want to avenge yourself?”

These words really touched the selfishness of King Zhongshun, but he would never admit it.

"What nonsense! I'm just thinking about the court!" King Zhongshun hurriedly bowed to Emperor Zhao: "How important is the imperial examination? The loyalty of a minister can be learned from heaven and earth. How could it be possible to embarrass a small candidate for personal revenge?"

Emperor Zhao, who had been laughing without saying a word, watched the crowd scramble, finally spoke: "I know the loyalty of all my lovers, and I also understand that the imperial examination is held every three years, and we must be cautious in selecting talents for the world. "

"In my opinion, this Juzi's article is good, but what King Zhongshun said is also good. After all, he is too young, so let him be ranked fourth. It is not a grievance for Erjia Chuanlu."

As soon as Emperor Zhao said these words, Bao Cong's ranking was finalized.

Everyone answered "yes" one after another, and then exchanged glances silently, or they were not convinced or reconciled, and they could only silently swallow it back to their hearts.

I thought this matter had come to an end, but Emperor Zhao said with a smile again: "Let him enter the Hanlin Academy and edit it for Cong Qipin!"

Everyone was amazed again!

According to the usual practice, the Hanlin Academy edited from the seventh grade, isn't it the position of Tanhua?

Moreover, the No. 4 No. [-] official position has not been decided without a decision?

What is this Emperor Zhao thinking in his heart?

King Zhongshun's complexion turned slightly ugly, a little annoyed.

It's really unpredictable!

=8=8=8=

The results of the palace examination were announced on the spot. When Bao Cong heard that he was the second-class biography, he was stunned for a while.

The examinee next to him pushed him quietly, and then he realized that he stepped forward to thank him.

He was really affected by the previous dream too much!

Although he always reminded himself that dreams are unbelievable, and that he may not be the candidate this time, he still had some expectations in his heart.

Now that the real ranking is down, he has become No.4. He doesn't see a lot of happiness, but he feels a bit complicated and empty for no reason.

But this No. 4, unlike the previous No. 4, was not sent to work in other places, but like the top three, it was sent to the Imperial Academy... This is a good thing...

After much deliberation, Bao Cong had mixed feelings in his heart.

He is not strong enough to be in the top three, what is he dissatisfied with?

Erjia Chuanlu is also very good... Now that things have happened, he should be happy about it, after all, he is going to be an official in the court.

Leaving the gate of the palace with all the candidates, Tanhua, the No. [-] scholar, rode a horse through the street. Bao Cong glanced enviously, and was surrounded by Jia Lian Baoyu who was waiting outside.

Jia Lian excitedly said: "You won the Erjia Biography, the family must be very happy, let's go home soon!"

Baoyu was also very happy: "I knew it, you must be able to win!"

He didn't care about Bao Cong's ranking, as long as he was in high school, everything was fine.

Bao Cong also laughed, turned over and got on his horse, and said loudly, "Go! Go back and celebrate!"

Back at Rongguo Mansion, sure enough, the mansion has received the good news.

Red lanterns were hung at the entrance of the mansion, and more than a dozen servants carried baskets to distribute wedding money, and a group of poor people crowded around the corner door to grab wedding money.

Except for a few elders, all the family members greeted her at the door, surrounded Bao Cong and entered the gate, all the way back to Jiamu's place.

Jiamu took Baocong and smiled from ear to ear, "Ancestors bless you! Baocong strives for success!"

Mrs. Wang smiled and said to Wang Xifeng: "Have you prepared the banquet for tonight?"

Wang Xifeng smiled and said: "I have already prepared it! Not to mention tonight, it is the big banquet tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, as well as the matter of giving porridge and rice, and the money for sesame oil in the temple. I have prepared everything!"

"I, I already knew that our Bao Cong is capable, this time I will definitely be able to come back from high school!"

Jiamu said cheerfully, "You are a fortune teller!"

Turning to look at Bao Cong again, he saw Bao Cong looking at Lin Daiyu in the crowd.

So, she glanced at the smiling Lin Daiyu, and said to Baocong: "You have had a hard time taking the exam today, go back with Yu'er to rest, and we can talk after dinner tonight."

This was exactly what Baocong wanted, so he hurriedly stood up to say goodbye to Mrs. Jia Muwang, and took Lin Daiyu back to his yard.

When he came back from the outside, he was covered in dust, and he was sweating again, so he washed and changed his clothes first.

After tidying up, Bao Cong took Lin Daiyu to lie down on the small bed, and didn't sleep, just cuddling and talking.

"Sister Lin, I only won the second-class biography, you don't seem so happy?"

Lin Daiyu laughed, and said happily, "Why am I not happy? Looking at you, you don't seem so happy."

At Bao Cong's age, the Second Class A biography is already very good, and it is a great joy for the Jia family, so how could she be unhappy?

It's just that she has always been indifferent, and she is not as excited as others.

On the contrary, it was Bao Cong. Although she was smiling all the time after returning home, her smile was not so real.He also said that he "only" won the Erjia Chuanlu, obviously he was not satisfied with the ranking.

This person is really, he is not satisfied with the ranking, but he also said that she is not happy!

Lin Daiyu complained a few words in her heart, tilted her head, and poked Bao Cong's face with her finger: "Tell me, why are you unhappy? Do you think you didn't pass the exam?"

Bao Cong grabbed Lin Daiyu's hand and said with a smile, "I'm not unhappy, I just feel that I can actually do better in the exam."

After all, Yijia is a completely different level, and it can be famous for thousands of years in the future!

Now there is no such opportunity.

Lin Daiyu didn't care much, she comforted her: "It's just a ranking, if you win, you win. If you become an official in the future, don't the achievements of anyone depend on the current ranking?"

Bao Cong was overjoyed, pinched Lin Daiyu's little nose, and said, "I really should learn from your open-mindedness, why do you think so clearly?"

Lin Daiyu suddenly felt a little proud, and said coquettishly: "You are among them, naturally I can't see through it. This is also my ability, otherwise how can I be your husband?"

This is a joke. As usual, Bao always asks her in various ways and calls her "Sir".

"Haha, that's that, that's that." Bao Cong agreed very much, and boasted: "A famous teacher produces a high-level apprentice, I can rely on you for guidance, good sister, tell me quickly, what other skills do you have?"

"I have a lot of skills, if you are not obedient, I will not teach you!"

"How cute am I? Have you ever seen a better-behaved husband than me?"

"Just playing lip service! Last time I asked you to write poems, why were you so stupid? When you got married, you still said you would write me a hundred poems?"

"You don't know, I have to write these hundred poems slowly all my life, or else you'll catch my eye?" As he said, Bao Cong kissed Lin Daiyu, "Hurry up, I'm running out of talent, lend me some, maybe I'll wait Know a poem and there is..."

As they spoke, the two huddled together on the small bed and made a fuss.

At the door of the house, Qingwen Zijuan was about to go in with snacks and tea, but the two looked at each other tacitly, and retreated decisively.

What else to eat and drink?

When these two people stick together, there is no time to be hungry or thirsty!

=8=8=8=

A few days later, Bao Cong went to the Qionglin Banquet.

When Emperor Zhao came in person, he took the opportunity to hand over the list to Emperor Zhao.

At the same time, he also secretly pleaded with Emperor Zhao, and said that he would pay back the money owed to the court by the Jia family as soon as possible, and promised to persuade everyone in the Jia family to abide by the law in the future.

Emperor Zhao didn't say anything at the time, but after a few days, Jia Zheng's promotion order came down, asking him to go to Liangdao, Jiangxi within a month.

The official position has been promoted by one level, and Jiangxi Liangdao is considered a fat job.

Jia Zheng cheerfully explained a few words to his family, then hurriedly packed up and left for his post.

Bao Cong felt a little more at ease, and honestly went to report to the Imperial Academy.

Editing from the seventh rank is the lowest civil post in the Hanlin Academy.As long as the superior took out a pile of old and unorganized manuscripts and threw them away, Bao Cong was trapped on the desk for three full months.

This job is tiring and troublesome, and I still can't show my face in front of the emperor.

Others may feel that Bao Cong is embarrassed, but Bao Cong himself feels very at ease.

How suitable he is to be an official, get a salary, commute to and from get off work on time every day, and don't have to participate in any complicated court struggles!

I think he was a literary worker in his previous life, and he has read a few more books in this life, so he understands what a simple official struggle is all about.Let him fight wits and bravery with a bunch of old foxes, I'm afraid he will be killed in a few strokes!

He doesn't lack money or power, so it's better to hang around in peace and wait and see the situation.

Speaking of his most troubled thing recently, it is probably how to secretly take out the money and pay back the debt owed to the court by the Jia family.

He didn't want to make up for the deficit of the Jia family, but because he had promised Emperor Zhao, he had to pay back the money as soon as possible, so he was a bit in a dilemma.

However, before he finished worrying about this matter, another incident occurred in Jia's mansion.

The reason was that Wang Xifeng was short of money.

In the past two years, Jia's happy events followed one after another.Several people got married one after another, and Bao Cong was awarded both Juren and Jinshi.

Whenever there is a happy event, Wang Xifeng has to arrange all kinds of festivities, spending money like running water, even her own dowry is almost as much as it is.

But Jia's income is far from keeping up with the expenditure.

Wang Xifeng's money was tight, so he thought of lending interest again.

But the interest money cannot be recovered immediately after it is released. Even if it is recovered, it is a bit of pocket money and cannot fill up so many holes.

So she was thinking about Jia Lian's private money outside.

When she knew that Jia Lian had married the second wife, she interrogated the servants severely, knowing that Jia Lian had moved a lot of furniture there.

Thinking of her working hard in the mansion to manage the family and subsidize her dowry, but the little goblin outside spends money from Jia's family to live a comfortable life like a fairy, how can Wang Xifeng swallow this breath in her heart!

So, while Jia Lian was out, she brought a bunch of servants to the door to coax money.

In the end, Second Sister You was foolish and easy to deceive, while her younger sister, Third Sister You was a shrewd person.

Wang Xifeng originally wanted to take people into the mansion to torture them to death, and then move all of Jia Lian's private houses back. Unexpectedly, the third sister You stopped in front and refused to let her sister enter the mansion, insisting on waiting for Jia Lian to come back.

Wang Xifeng knew in her heart that when Jia Lian came back, even if she brought Second Sister You back to Jia's mansion, how could it be her turn to intervene in the private money?

There was no other way, so Wang Xifeng had no choice but to pretend to know by accident, made a big fuss, moved out of Jia's mother, and insisted on taking Second Sister You back to Jia's mansion.

Mother Jia saw that although Wang Xifeng had made a scene, she was willing to take the outer room back to live at any rate, so she naturally agreed.

So Wang Xifeng swaggered, took a dozen servants, and went to pick them up again.

Unexpectedly, when I went to the place, I saw that the building was empty, and the Youshi sisters and Mrs. You were gone!

It so happened that Jia Lian came back early to find Second Sister You, but met Wang Xifeng.

This is good, the two couples had an earth-shattering quarrel and fought in the small house.