To The Land of Nevernight

Outside the Shengjing Tribute Academy, candidates flocked out.

Seeing that Tang Shen was asleep, Yao San said, "Why don't the younger ones come and hug the little master."

Wang Qin thought for a while, and saw Tang Shen's book boy holding a pen and asking the coachman to stop the carriage not far away.He said: "No need, I will send it to the carriage."

What else Yao San wanted to say, it can be seen that Wang Qin has an elegant demeanor and a graceful manner, just like a real master.He felt that he was too vulgar, so he didn't dare to refute Wang Qin's words for a while, thinking in his heart that it was not a big deal, he followed Wang Qin and watched as Wang Qin sent Tang Shen into the carriage.

It was a coincidence that Wang Qin came to wait for Tang Shen outside the tribute courtyard, it was indeed a coincidence.Wang Qin happened to have something to go to the Imperial Academy, and the Gong Yuan was next to the Imperial Academy, so he stopped by to see Tang Shen.Seeing Tang Shen sleeping, Wang Qin remembered his words again, couldn't help laughing, and stretched out his hand to pat Tang Shen's cheek twice.

Yao San: "?" What is this for?

Wang Qin looked at him, and said righteously: "It seems to be a little burnt, go back and ask a doctor to take a look."

Yao San was shocked: "Okay!"

The two sides leave it alone.

Driving back home, Yao San hurriedly invited a doctor to come.The doctors in Shengjing are in a hurry. The first round of the provincial examination is over, and there are countless scholars who have fallen ill.The medical clinics in Shengjing were crowded with people, Yao San spent a lot of money to invite an old doctor to come to the door.

After taking his pulse, the old doctor said: "It is true that there is some fever, but it is not a serious matter. The scholars stayed in the cramped number room for three days and three nights. It is normal for the body to be weak. The old man prescribed some medicine and drank it when he woke up Just one post. You and the old man come to get the medicine."

Tang Shen woke up in the middle of the night, drank the medicine made by Fengbi, and really felt a little clearer.

After eating something, Tang Shen remembered something and asked, "Brother Yao, I seemed to have hallucinations when I first left the tribute courtyard. I seem to... saw my senior brother Zifeng?"

Yao San smiled and said: "The little Dong family didn't see hallucinations, Mr. Wang was indeed waiting for you outside the door, and even caught you who fell asleep!"

Tang Shen: "..."

That's really Wang Zifeng! ! !

Tang Shen had mixed feelings in his heart, wishing he could sleep again and forget about these bad things, for example, Wang Qin slapped him in the face for no reason, and he yelled at Wang Zifeng, "Don't slap my face".

There was an exam the next day, Tang Shen let out a long sigh and fell asleep anyway.

On the second day, it was dark, and more than 1 candidates came to Shengjing Gongyuan again.Tang Shen looked around and found that the number of people was one tenth less than that of three days ago.He sighed and understood that some candidates had failed in the first three days of the exam and were too sick to take the exam; there were also some candidates who knew that they did not perform well in the first round and it would be useless to come back for the next two rounds, so they just Just go back and study hard, and wait until three years before fighting again.

But this is also a good thing for him, and there are many fewer opponents.

Tang Shen cheered up and entered the number room.At midnight, the examiner stood upstairs in Mingyuan and beat the gongs and drums vigorously.

Boom!

The official sent the test papers to the candidates.

In the second round of the township examination, five eight-legged essays were tested, and the topics were from the Five Classics.This is not to say that one topic is selected in each of the five classics, but that the examiner has 25 questions, and each classic has five questions.Candidates can choose one classic and write five essays.

Tang Shen opened the five questions of "Book of Changes" without hesitation.

I saw five questions clearly written on the red test paper.

The first question: self-improvement.

The second question: Xiaoheng.

The third question: Gentleman to distinguish.

The fourth question: where is the road to heaven.

Fifth question: Make music and respect morality.

Just seeing the first question, Tang Shen frowned, feeling bad.

Master Yang likes "Book of Changes". This is what Wang Qin said, and Tang Shen never doubted it.If he chooses "Book of Changes" to answer the question, he will definitely win the favor of the chief examiner.However, Master Yang has studied the "Book of Changes" too thoroughly. Looking at these five questions, one question is more troublesome than the other.

The original sentence is "Tian Xingjian, a gentleman strives for self-improvement", which means that a gentleman strives to improve and study hard.

Xiaoheng, the original sentence is "Xiaoheng, there is a lot of profit, and the profit sees the adults."Xiao is "modest and careful", and Heng is a common word, which means "smooth".Only by being humble and careful can everything go smoothly.This is the restraint requirement of a gentleman on himself.

The next three questions, "A Gentleman Can Distinguish" requires a gentleman to be able to distinguish right from wrong. "He Tianzhiqu" refers to making good use of talents.And the last "Music to Chongde" comes from "the former kings made music to worship virtue", which means "the wise monarchs in ancient times made music to sing praises of merit".

All in all, among the five questions, the first three questions are the requirements and constraints on the gentleman and himself.The last two questions can be regarded as opinions on the superiors.

Each question has a broad scope, and there are a lot of things that can be said.But each question has some specious relationship.Especially the first three questions, it is easy to connect the three questions together.Once you finish writing an article, you have to write another similar one, which is about writing three identical articles in a row.

Tang Shen lamented in his heart: "Scholar Yang really likes "Book of Changes"!"

What a touching solution to the problem!

Tang Shen flipped through the other test papers and looked at the questions above.Sure enough, the most difficult ones are the five questions in "Book of Changes"!

The five questions of "Book of Changes" can please Master Yang, but the five questions of "Book of Changes" are also extremely difficult to write!

When Tang Shen was thinking hard, the sky had already brightened.The rising sun illuminates the densely packed, honeycomb-like rooms of the Gong Yuan.The upper part of the sage ruled from the south, and the lower part of the ministers called the ministers from the north. All the houses of the Gongyuan faced the north.The sun slanted into the number room, Tang Shen squinted his eyes, looking at the rising sun.

He suddenly stopped doubting: "It doesn't matter if the writing is not good, this is "Book of Changes", as long as I don't write off-topic or rebellious words, Master Yang will not give me a difference. Besides, I am right The first round of the township examination is quite sure. The five questions in the second round are just extra points, so there is no problem after all."

Now that the decision was made, Tang Shen looked at the five questions seriously.

A gentleman can discern that he needs to be small and prosper, and he must constantly strive for self-improvement. The road ahead will be like a road of heaven, and I would like to have fun and respect virtue!

Tang Shen's eyes lit up.

These questions are too difficult, and the scope of the questions is repetitive. It is difficult for him to write more brilliantly at the level of stereotyped essays that he has only been writing for two years.But whether it is Liang Song or Wang Qin, they all say that the most outstanding thing about Tang Shen's stereotyped essays is not his style and logic, but his unconventional way of solving problems.That being the case, why doesn't he be more innovative!

Directly combine these five questions together to write a big essay!

The essay is divided into five parts, each part is its own article, but each part can be regarded as a part of the essay.When the five articles are connected together, it is a work of "a gentleman seeks the way, a sage is capable".This kind of creativity should be able to cover up part of his lack of talent and learning.

With an idea in mind, Tang Shen drew a logic diagram on the draft paper, found out the relationship between the five questions, and then classified these questions by progressive and parallel relationships.

It was not until the evening of the second day of the township examination that he sorted out the connection between the five questions and began to formally answer the questions.

Master Yang published "Self-improvement".

Tang Shen wrote back and said: "The husband is self-conquered, and the gentleman seeks the way and follows the principles of heaven. Small distinctions are followed by action, and the best is followed. He is in harmony with the sky and regards virtue, and is deified to the extreme..."

Tang Shen didn't stop after writing the first article eloquently. Taking advantage of the burst of inspiration, he quickly wrote the second article.

After writing three articles in a row, Tang Shen fell asleep and woke up with moonlight and candlelight, and finished two more articles.

At this time, the rooster sounded loudly, and it was already the last day.

Tang Shen had a good night's sleep, and when he woke up again, he finished transcribing the five articles in a neat and beautiful style, and handed them in with ink.

The scholars who had left the examination room ahead of time stepped out of the Shengjing Gongyuan together, and it was only the afternoon application time of the third day.Yao San and Feng Bi were sitting under the big willow tree in front of the tribute courtyard to enjoy the shade, when they suddenly saw Tang Shen, neither of them reacted.When Tang Shen walked over, Yao San quickly stood up: "Young master is coming out now?"

Tang Shen smiled and said, "After finishing writing, it will come out naturally."

It seems to be such a reason.Yao San scratched his head: "Then let's go home and rest."

Tang Shen looked around: "Brother Zifeng didn't come today?"

Yao San: "I didn't come. Is Xiao Dong's family waiting for Mr. Wang?"

Tang Shen: "...No, let's go."

After resting at home for a day, Tang Shen rushed to the examination room again the next day.

The third round of the township examination was almost a soy sauce, and the examinees all looked relaxed.It has almost been decided whether to pass the exam or not.The third test is current policy theory. How do these scholars understand current affairs and politics? They are just talking on paper!The examiners didn't even think about the masterpieces of policy and theory written by talents, as long as they don't make mistakes and write articles that are not rebellious, it's all over.

Tang Shen writes lightly. After three days, when he leaves the Gongyuan, the first thing he does when he returns home is to take a shower.

Soaking in the warm tub, Tang Shen let out a long sigh of relief: "Cool!"

But he was not idle.After freshening up and putting on new clothes, Tang Shen came to Fu's residence while it was still dark.

Fu Wei was holding a handful of bird food and was feeding the two parrots in the study.Seeing Tang Shen, he gave Tang Shen a handful of bird food.No matter how he looked at it, Tang Shen found this scene very familiar. An elegant and unique figure flashed in his mind. He was stunned for a moment, looked at Fu Wei, and said, "Sir, the student examination is over."

When Fu Wei heard it, he looked serious: "How can you say 'the township test is over'? Jing Ze, you really have a problem reading this sentence!"

Tang Shen didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Yes, yes, the student's local examination is over."

Fu Wei smiled: "How do you feel?"

Tang Shen recalled carefully: "The writing in the first game should be pretty good, and the performance was a little bit supernormal. The second game was pretty good, and the third game students were not good at writing, so I listened to Senior Brother Zifeng and wrote honestly. radical."

Fu Wei snorted and said, "Who asked you this?"

"what?"

"I'm asking you, the smell of sweat, feces, and feet in the Shengjing room is fragrant?"

Tang Shen: "..."

Who are these people!

On August 3th, just one day after the three rural examinations in Shengjing Gongyuan, the officials sent all the more than [-] papers to the main room where the examiners were.The mountains of test papers are rolling up and down, and it can be seen that the heads of these scholars and scholars have two heads.

The chief examiner, Master Yang, raised his glass before the official review: "Tea instead of wine, my colleagues, within ten days, I will review ten thousand examination papers. I respect you!"

"Toast to my lord!"

Everyone drank tea and began to bitterly review papers for ten days.

By August 29, every examiner had read the examination papers, and each examination paper had been carefully reviewed for three rounds, and the examiners' comments and comments were written.On the last day, the three deputy examiners each selected three examination papers, and Grand Master Yang also selected one examination paper. Everyone gathered together and began to decide the top three in this year's Shengjing Township Examination.

A deputy examiner said: "This Shanxi Liu Ze is from my hometown. I have heard of his reputation. He is a well-known child prodigy in Shanxi. He started to take the exam at the age of 16 and directly won the junior three in the children's exam. Originally, he was going to take the provincial examination two years later, but unexpectedly his mother passed away suddenly. He kept mourning for his mother for three years and was not allowed to pass the examination. Three years later, he had to take the provincial examination again. Unexpectedly, his father also passed away unexpectedly, and he had to observe mourning for another three years. After going back and forth, he delayed for eight full years, and now he is 25 years old, and he came to Shengjing to take the provincial examination."

Another assistant examiner looked at Liu Ze's paper and said, "Excellent literary talent, vigorous writing, thoughtful and thoughtful, great kindness!"

Everyone looked at it, and even Grand Master Yang's eyes lit up, and said: "Great kindness! This 'I have five out of ten ambitions to learn', every word is painstaking, I think he can write such a masterpiece because of his own experience. .This year's Jieyuan is well-deserved!"

Another deputy examiner said: "This Yao Ji is from the capital city. He is in his forties this year. He is very old, but he is very talented. 24 years ago, he was a junior in the Shengjing examination. Unexpectedly, his elder brother died under the hands of the Liao people, so he abandoned his pen and joined the army and went to Youzhou Mansion as a soldier. He was discharged from the army until last year. His article "I also want to straighten people's hearts" is heroic and magnificent. Rich experience enriches Xiangji."

After seeing it, Grand Master Yang nodded and exclaimed, "Great kindness!"

After everyone had read all the first test papers of the ten scholars, except for Liu Ze who was directly appointed as the current Jieyuan by Senior Scholar Yang, the rankings of the other nine people may have ideas, but it is difficult to reach an agreement.

Someone suggested: "Let's watch their second session of Wujing Artifacts."

The papers for the second round were meant to be read, so everyone began to read them.

There was silence in the main room, and suddenly there was only three consecutive voices from Senior Scholar Yang: "Okay, okay, okay!"

The other three deputy examiners came over immediately: "Master Yang, did you see an excellent article?"

Yang Qi immediately showed the paper: "Have all the adults read this work?"

A deputy examiner said: "Tang Shen and Tang Jingze? I remember this man's papers. Among the nine people, he was not outstanding enough whether he made art or tried poems, but every paper was excellent and solid. Among the nine, he belongs to the upper middle class. Moreover, his handwriting is beautiful, and he has the demeanor of his benevolent master Fu Weifu."

"It turned out to be Master Fu's apprentice."

"Master Wang's calligraphy is famous all over the world, and his junior brother naturally has strong calligraphy."

When Fu Wei and Wang Qin didn't know it, they got another bunch of flattery.

Master Yang said: "This man's "Book of Changes" five questions, it seems that every article is well-written, but please see, every time he breaks the question, he writes four other articles. This is divided into five. Combining five articles into one, you have written a big article!"

Only then did everyone look carefully.

"Great!"

The more Yang Qi read Tang Shen's paper, the more he liked it.

Among the ten people they selected, only Tang Shen and the other selected "Book of Changes".The other person's diction is gorgeous, but his writing is average.Yang Qi is the most typical noble and poor scholar in the Hanlin Academy. Tang Shen can see from the five questions he chose that Yang Qi is arrogant and has extremely high requirements for himself.

Compared to another examinee with gorgeous rhetoric, Yang Qi loved Tang Shen's five essays even more, to the point of being unable to put them down.

The husband is strong in self-conquest, and the gentleman seeks the way and follows the principles of heaven.Small distinctions are used to act, and what the best to do is to be in harmony with the sky and consider virtue, deified to the extreme!

This is talking about him, Yang Qi!

Don't join forces with those muddle-headed officials in the officialdom!

Yang Qi even had the idea of ​​letting Tang Shen win this year's Jie Yuan.He shared this idea with the other three deputy examiners.

The three deputy examiners were all surprised and said: "Although Tang Shen's five chapters of "Book of Changes" are well written, his answer to the first paper is not as good as that of Liu Ze. My lord also said earlier that Liu Ze is a well-deserved interpreter." Yuan."

Someone guessed: "Master Yang...does it mean that he likes "Book of Changes"?"

Yang Qi: "..."

If Tang Shen were here, he would probably be shocked.What about what Wang Qin said, "Everyone knows that Master Yang loves "Book of Changes""?This is where the world knows!

Yang Qi read Tang Shen's "Book of Changes" five chapters, and Liu Ze's paper.Liu Ze chose "Spring and Autumn" and wrote five chapters of "Spring and Autumn".

"It's destiny!"

On the first day of September, the results of the township examination are released.

Yao San originally wanted to go to the Tribute Court to watch the announcement of the officials, but Tang Shen stopped him: "Do you know how many people are gathered outside the Tribute Court today?"

How did Yao San know: "I don't know."

Tang Shen: "There are more than 1 candidates, and at least 8000 to 2 people want to know their results. They also have relatives and friends. If they are added together, there will be [-] or [-] people gathered around the Guipao. We don't have midnight queues. Where can we see it? Get it! Don’t go, let Feng Bi listen to the voice outside the crowd, and if you report our names, come back and let us know. I can still pass the exam.”

At this time, Shopkeeper Lu and Accountant Lin also went north to Shengjing.

When other people said this, Accountant Lin still didn't believe it, thinking it was a lie.But after Tang Shen said it, the accountant Lin stroked his beard and said, "Yao San won't go, let Fengbi go. Hear the news, just return it."

Feng Bi received the order to go to the Gongyuan, Tang Shen and others were waiting at home.

Time passed and Feng Bi hadn't returned yet, even Tang Shen was a little anxious.He dug out the "Famen Temple Monument" given by Wang Qin from the bookshelf, and copied it over and over again to make it meticulous.When the sun was high, Fengbi hurried back, his cheeks flushed, and he was overjoyed.

Everyone knew at a glance that Tang Shen must have hit the target.

Yao San: "Quickly tell me, Xiaodong is in the house? How many names have you won?"

"Hit... hit!"

Tang Shen came out of the study, just hearing these words, he breathed a long sigh of relief.

The accountant Lin asked, "How many?"

Feng Bi took a sip of tea and gasped for breath: "Ya Yuan! Young Master won Ya Yuan!"

Everyone was taken aback.

The next second, the sound of gongs and drums came from outside the yard.Officials wearing official uniforms and red belts entered the courtyard, smiling and congratulating: "He Jiangnan Gusu Mansion Tang Shen Tang Jingze, high school Yayuan in this year's Shengjing Township Examination!"

Yayuan, second in the provincial examination.

Tang Shen laughed, and looked at Yao San: "Reward."

Yao San immediately took out the prepared silver nudes and distributed them to the officials who announced the good news.

After knowing the results, Tang Shen immediately went to Fu's residence to announce the good news to Fu Wei.

Fu Wei was not surprised at all, but smiled and said to Tang Shen, "Not bad."

Tang Shen thought for a while, and said, "Could it be that the master also sent someone to wait outside the tribute courtyard?"

Wen Shutong interjected: "That's right, I went to line up outside the Gong Yuan early in the morning and slept on the ground all night!"

Tang Shen's heart warmed up.

Two of Fu Wei's students, Wang Qin, were the real three-yuan students back then, ranking first in the children's examination, the township examination, and the general examination.This time Tang Shen got the second place in the township examination, Fu Wei was not unhappy, but felt that he really worked hard as a student.

Wang Zifeng was born in the Wang clan of Langya, and he worshiped Fu Xiru as his teacher when he was five years old.Tang Shen is a student from a truly poor family. It is really rare to have such achievements and knowledge at the age of fifteen.

Fu Wei asked: "Have you ever announced the good news to your senior brother?"

Tang Shen: "Not yet."

"Then go ahead, Zifeng can be regarded as your half husband."

Tang Shen nodded, and went to Shangshu Mansion again.

When Wang Qin came back, he saw Tang Shen obediently waiting for him in the flower hall.Seeing him enter, Tang Shen immediately stood up and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Zifeng, for sending me the test baskets for each local exam. Senior Brother is disappointed that Jing Ze didn't win this year's Jie Yuan."

Wang Qin paused, looked at Tang Shen's respectful appearance, and couldn't help laughing: he is a little junior, but he will strike first.

"Among 1 people, isn't it good?"

Tang Shen bowed: "Senior brother was Xie Yuan back then."

Wang Qin asked the butler to serve another cup of tea. Instead of sitting in the upper seat in the flower hall, he sat casually on the chair next to Tang Shen.He suddenly said: "In ancient times, it has the meaning of dragon and phoenix bringing good luck."

Tang Shen: "?" What the hell?

Wang Qin sighed sincerely: "I am Xie Yuan, and my younger brother is Ya Yuan. Taking the top two is just like the dragon and phoenix presenting auspiciousness, and our school is complete."

Tang Shen: "..."

You, Wang Zifeng, are probably out of your mind! ! !

The author has something to say: Xiao Tanglang: Who is the dragon and phoenix with you!

Old Wang next door: Huh?I just said that my junior brother and I are both dragons and phoenixes among people.Little brother, did you think of anything?