The Marginal People of Jia's Family in the Red Chamber

The selection of female officials, if you say high-end, is indeed high-end, at least you are working in the palace - the most prestigious place in the world; if you say that the requirements are low, it is indeed low standards, because there are only two rigid requirements for female officials: age and literacy.

But don't underestimate literacy. Nowadays, many men are blind all their lives, not to mention women, even folk women.Therefore, most of the female officials who came to the election were the daughters of small officials and folk scholars.It is indeed very rare for someone like Jia Yuanchun who has the name of the granddaughter of the Duke of the State to choose female officials.

Of course, there are still many small requirements. It is better to say that it should not be too ugly, the rules are within a certain range, and it will not collide with nobles and so on.The Jia family's original plan was to let Jia Yuanchun directly become a concubine through the route of a female official, but Jia Yuanchun didn't think so.

After getting off the carriage at the gate of the palace, Jia Yuanchun lined up with a group of women who chose female officials, and followed the leading aunt to walk inside. Everyone stared at their own toes as they walked, and there was no "protagonist" to look around, deciding on their own. At the moment of fate, everyone is cautious, who knows if someone is watching on the road.

When they arrived at Jingyang Palace, everyone was divided into five large groups and lived in each hall separately.This time, only the surrounding area of ​​the capital is here to participate in the election. The farthest is the women from Zhili. There are not many people, and the empress can probably finish watching it in five days.Yes, the female official election also requires the emperor to watch it in person later. Of course, the emperor only attended the "finals" on the last day.

Jia Yuanchun's family background is clean, and he can be said to be prominent among this group of people who choose female officials.

The last day is the moment of fate.

After two rounds of selection, there were only thirty people left. Together with 29 companions, Jia Yuanchun wore the uniform light blue dress in the palace, with light green and hakama blue, which was the service of female officials without rank.

Jia Yuanchun anxiously followed the crowd and walked in, politely knelt down to pay respects to the emperor and empress, the Concubine Zhen entrusted by the Jia family was not qualified to come on such an occasion.One of the important reasons why Jia Yuanchun is willing to run for female officials is that the female officials of our dynasty are not concurrently served by concubines, it is an independent official system.Moreover, the emperor seemed to be fond of Concubine Zhen, but no concubine could override all the occasions that should be attended by the empress, not even Concubine Zhen, who was always favored by the emperor.

"I have seen Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live my emperor, I have seen your empress, and your empress is a thousand years old." The 30 people knelt together and shouted in unison, with some momentum.These 30 people are all female officials who are confirmed to be selected, so they call themselves "Chen".

"Flat body."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Everyone agreed in unison.

"For this selection of female officials, a total of [-] good family sons were selected. The Liushang Palace, the palaces of high-ranking concubines, the imperial study room, the library building, and the literature museum all need to add manpower. It is a good time. It is only because of the prosperity of the world that women are able to read and write well, and leave their names in history." The Empress Empress opened the scene, her voice was gentle and delicate, smooth and smooth, and it sounded like a middle-aged woman's voice.

"Zitong is too humble. It is your mother who respects the world, so you have the merit of educating women." The emperor smiled and said, "It's hard work to choose female officials this time. Debao, give 30 people in the palace a pair of ingots and pearls each A set of headgear; 30 taels of silver will be given to those who are not selected, and the author will arrange it properly and return it safely."

Before the election started, the emperor gave grace first, and the 30 people in the hall naturally knelt down to express their gratitude.

"Your Majesty is benevolent, and let Your Majesty see the benefits of these people, so as to live up to Your Majesty's favor." The Queen smiled and waved her hand, and let the female officer behind her be the master of ceremonies, and announced the edict aloud.

The female officer who made the sound wears the golden cloud and peacock script on the Xiapei, and the golden pendant with no flowers.There are golden clouds and peacock inscriptions on the beige, three emerald peacocks on the crown, two golden peacocks on the crown, and a pearl knot in the mouth.The long jacket is edged.Look at the belt, which is light purple and embroidered with Yunxia and peacock characters.The long skirt is embroidered horizontally and vertically and is embroidered with intertwining flowers. It is a typical third-rank female official costume.It is not easy for me to be a high-ranking female official. The third rank is currently the highest among female officials in the palace. I think I am the queen's confidant.According to the situation found out by the family, this should be the official Anzhen.

Jia Yuanchun felt that he really had the talent to be a courtier, so he could see the clothes clearly after taking such a short glance. Even when Anzhen stood up, he casually glanced at the eunuch Debao next to the emperor. Chu, the struggle for power between female officials and eunuchs in the palace can be seen.

Anzhen took out a scroll of silk scriptures and began calling for an audience. Jia Yuanchun deservedly was the first to be called out.

"Grandson of Rong Guogong Daishan, daughter of Minister of Industry Wai Langzheng, mother Yiren Wang, Jia's Yuanchun, fourteen years old, come forward to see me." Anzhen sang loudly.

"The minister Jia Yuanchun joins His Majesty, Your Majesty will live forever, see the Empress, Your Majesty will be happy forever." Jia Yuanchun came out, and her status as a concubine is more than enough to introduce her to participate in the general election. It is quite shocking to be read out by An Zhen in such a voice.

"It's Duke Rong's granddaughter, why is she running for the female officer?" The emperor also asked curiously.

"Returning to Your Majesty, my father and grandfather received the court's grace, my father and brother at home swore to serve His Majesty to the death, and the female family members also had the heart to do something to repay the emperor's favor. I have been familiar with classics since childhood, and I admit that I will serve in the palace in order to repay Your Majesty and Your Majesty's long grace. "

"It's a thoughtful one." The queen said something vaguely, not knowing whether it was a compliment or a derogation.

"Oh, there are not many women who dare to say that by being familiar with the classics. Let me tell you what books you have read." His Majesty asked.

"Jing Shi Zi Ji, Poetry Miscellaneous Notes, I especially love rhythm, and I like "Jieshi Diao Youlan" and "Lv Lu Chengshu" the most." Jia Yuanchun replied calmly.

"Love the rhythm, that's great. Yayin can teach the world. Tell me what musical instrument you are good at." The emperor asked.

"Return to Your Majesty, I am good at the piano."

"Come on," His Majesty said.The maids and servants next to her had known for a long time that the female school examiners would have these contents, and the side hall was already filled with various musical instruments, cloth needlework, pens, inks, papers and inkstones.

Jia Yuanchun gathered his clothes, knelt and sat in front of the piano case, took a deep breath secretly, and played a piece of "White Crane Listening to the Spring", and saw the meaning of leisurely and contented, a hermit in Taoyuan in the sound of the piano.

"Good, good, good, live up to the word 'good'." The emperor clapped his hands and laughed.

"Your Majesty's absurd praise, I am ashamed and dare not take it." Jia Yuanchun said modestly.

"Oh, you said that Zhen Zhan was wrong, where is the mistake?" the emperor asked nitpickingly.

It's a common practice to be self-effacing, just like you say "Jiu Yang" to a stranger, and he insists on asking where you heard of him.Jia Yuanchun was not intimidated by such trickery, and said: "Your Majesty's praise is ridiculous, and my minister is also good at poetry."

"Well, I'll test you." The emperor didn't see Jia Yuanchun trembling in fear, so he became more interested, pointing to the camellia outside the window and said: "Let's sing about this camellia."

"The bees scavenged all the yellow vermicelli, and the fallen pistils are still fragrant with honeydew. When the spring breeze is here, there will be frost flying over the years when the bean is killed." Jia Yuanchun thought for a while, and opened his mouth.

"This one is not good, come again." The emperor said.

"Ling Han is more beautiful than Song Yun, and the splendor and emptiness amazes the years. The ice and snow are diverse and true, and the roots and plants are rare." Jia Yuanchun came again.

"Barely, there are better ones." The emperor asked.

"Camellia is pregnant with extraordinary quality, and the green leaves are deep and thick. It often blooms red flowers, which are biased in the white snow. Although it has a rich appearance, it is not a coquettish appearance. It will be like a spring breeze without withering in the cold years. I will determine the quality of the flowers. It's like Sangong. Mei Jun is very clean, but he is the same as Yi Shu." Jia Yuanchun thought about it a little this time, and soon wrote another song.

"In ancient times, there was a talent for making poems in seven steps, but now there is a talent for writing poems. Lady Jia is so talented, it's because of your Majesty's ability to govern the world." The queen praised, and it was also a relief. "Three Dukes" and "Uncle Yi" all came out, it seems This Jia Yuanchun is not without temper, he compares himself with the sages of the past, and insinuates that His Majesty is causing trouble for nothing.

"Okay, okay, okay, if you have real talent and learning." The emperor laughed, "The Qing family's poems are the best, and they live up to my expectations. Is there anything wrong with my praise this time?" the emperor joked.

"To evade, I'm still good at classics." Jia Yuanchun said, but he glanced at the empress's face and saw the emperor's eagerness to try again, and said again: "What I'm good at is not only the best in the boudoir, but also dare to stand shoulder to shoulder with men. , Your Majesty, please examine the school."

"Oh? The Qing family didn't talk big?" The emperor became more interested. The main purpose of selecting female officials was to manage the chores of the harem, so as not to let the concubines compete for favor and harm the emperor and prince. He didn't have much expectation for their talents. There is a female officer who is good at rhythm and poetry, which has already surprised the emperor.Unexpectedly, this woman uttered wild words and dared to stand shoulder to shoulder with the man.

"Everything I said is true. If Your Majesty agrees, you can argue with Jinshi Jinshi." Jia Yuanchun said, she has already entered the palace, so she can't be manipulated by her family. Only by being famous and famous can she be protected.

"Okay!" Your Majesty patted the armrest of the chair, and said, "Since you have such ambition, I will definitely help you. Zitong, Qionglin Yan, a new scholar, set up a screen and set up a ring, so that those new scholars can also see Zitong. capable people under his command."

"Listen to Your Majesty." The queen nodded and smiled slightly, and said, "Ms. Jia has this talent. It is really a waste to follow me or go to Liushang Palace. I wonder if Your Majesty has arrangements?" The queen was very interested in seeing the emperor, Jia Yuanchun He is also talented, so it may be that His Majesty has the intention to take him into the harem.The queen knew the plans of the Jia family and Concubine Zhen's plans, but she did not expect Jia Yuanchun to be so outstanding that he attracted a lot of attention from His Majesty.

Before the emperor could speak, Jia Yuanchun asked himself: "Return to Your Majesty, and to Your Majesty, I would like to enter the Literature Museum."

"Oh?" The emperor asked in confusion. He did have a point or two of wanting to bring Jia Yuanchun back to the harem just now, but it was just a matter of a moment. Go out and let the censor listen and talk too much, the emperor is also dispensable, unexpectedly Jia Yuanchun chose the way out directly.

"I have heard that the Literature Museum has books from all over the world. I serve in the palace. I also want to admire the works of the sages." Jia Yuanchun expressed her attitude. She didn't want to fall into the emperor's arms, let alone go to Liushang Palace, this was her best choice.

"Your Majesty, since Miss Jia has such ambition, why don't you help her." The queen persuaded with a smile, only this time there was a real smile in her eyes.

"Okay, let Jia's Yuanchun be named a female talent and enter the Literature Museum." The emperor made a final decision.

Jia Yuanchun knelt down and shouted long live three times, then retreated to the queue, and then Lady Anzhen began to roll the roll again.None of the following women could have the talent and luck of Jia Yuanchun, and His Majesty's inquiry. There were even a lot of people among them. in the team.

In the end, the queen chose two people in her own palace, and prepared 12 candidates for the concubines in each palace. The rest were all included in the Liushang Palace Bureau, and their grades were all between the fifth and sixth ranks. , Immediately sealed the fourth-rank female talent.In the selection of female officials this time, Jia Yuanchun can be said to be in the limelight.

After the emperor's inspection, Jia Yuanchun followed the maids who led the way to the place where the female officials lived. Before they started their posts, they still had a period of training for their posts, which were all carried out in Yuzhao Palace.

The rules of Jia Yuanchun's lifetimes have been imprinted in his bones, so he is naturally not afraid of them. She answers fluently in front of the imperial court, and she can't put it down on weekdays. At the beginning, others were a little jealous of her, but thinking that she was about to compete with the new Jinshi , these jealousies are gone too.Some people took pleasure in other people's misfortune, some felt that she was restless in the room, and some began to worship her. In short, Jia Yuanchun was no longer on the same level as them, so naturally no one wanted to trouble her.

During this period, the Queen and Concubine Zhen both summoned her once, but she followed the rules and almost bluntly explained in front of Concubine Zhen that she did not want to serve the Emperor, Concubine Zhen had no choice but to let her come back.Jia Yuanchun was still on the job training, and only these two people with the highest rank in the harem who had some relationship with her had ever summoned her. The other concubines were still restrained and did not take any action.

Soon came the Qionglin Banquet. The selection of female officials and Chunwei were both in early spring, but there was a palace examination after Chunwei, so it was delayed for some time, but now it is just right.

It is rare for the emperor to make clear the posture of the banquet. The empress sits in the main seat. On the left are the palace ladies behind the screen, on the right are the court ministers, and a little behind the middle are the new scholars. There is a space in the middle for the palace dance and music performance The place.Of course, with the emperor's order, the place left in the middle may be the arena.

After the standard process of the Qionglin Banquet, the emperor said: "Recently, in the selection of female officials, Zitong has won many talented and virtuous women. Today, at the Qionglin Banquet, I have won all the talented men. I just don't know which of these two talents is more outstanding."

The selection of female officials had been completed a month ago, and the ministers in the court also knew that Jia Yuanchun had performed outstandingly in the face of the saint, and her three camellia poems had also been circulated.The ministers were not panicked by the emperor's plan, they just looked at the Xinke Jinshi with a bad face and felt a little sympathy in their hearts.

In a competition with a woman, if you lose, you will lose your face, but if you win, you will feel that you are losing value. You are not as good as a little girl after ten years of poverty. This face is beaten~ The emperor doesn’t care about these, and he has clearly stated the rules. Jia Yuanchun's position was adjusted to the front again, and the academician of the Imperial Academy came up with the questions, and began to test both sides of the school.

The female officer is Jia Yuanchun alone, and the Jinshi is a second-class Jinshi who ranks in the twenties. He is not good at strategy and theory, and he is especially good at poetry. The meaning of the bachelor is that Jia Yuanchun is famous for poetry. As long as they win poetry This item is also to save face for Jia Yuanchun and give the emperor a step down.

The topic of the bachelor's degree is very interesting, "Ode to the Horse".

The Jinshi men are from the Northwest, and they have seen the strongest military horses. On the way to Beijing to rush for the exam, they have seen countless horses. As for the boudoir girls like Jia Yuanchun, the only horses they have ever seen are shabby horses pulling carts. .

Jia Yuanchun won with a poem "The sand in the desert is like snow, and the moon in Yanshan is like a hook. Why don't you be a golden brain, let's go to the clear autumn." In just [-] characters, he wrote not only the horse, but also the scenery of the Northwest. better.The Xinke Jinshi blushed and had no choice but to back down.

The academician is still waiting to come up with a question, but Jia Yuanchun said: "The scholar has already made a question just now. Now, it is time for us to come up with a question. I also ask my mother to give me a question. Don't worry, my mother and mother are respected all over the world, and there will be no question." Questions like Jinbuyao and Red Rouge." This is an insinuation that the bachelors play tricks on the questions, and they ask questions that women don't understand, so they end up stealing chickens and losing money.

The old German minister was not annoyed when he saw such a vigorous little girl, he just thought that young people should have such a demeanor; he just hated the big scholar who came up with the question.

"I also ask Zitong's subordinates to be merciful." The emperor also smiled and "begged".

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, the questions I asked are not difficult. Didn't Tanhualang go to the garden to choose flowers? When he comes back, he can sing whatever flowers he chooses." The queen suggested that the words of the Royal Garden are famous products and are also common. , The queen said so, which made the Xinke Scholars feel relieved and prayed secretly, their Tanhualang will be up to date!

Tanhualang picked flowers in the imperial garden and brought them to the Qionglin Banquet to sing and sing. As usual, Tanhualang just went out after drinking, and missed the first round of fighting poems.

When Tanhualang came in with a pot of narcissus, everyone in the hall looked at him, and they looked at him with embarrassment, thinking that everyone was waiting for his flowers.

Seeing the narcissus in Tanhualang's hands clearly, many Jinshi were shocked. What are you doing with a pot of narcissus instead of picking plum blossoms this season?The previously printed belly drafts can no longer be used.

Jia Yuanchun picked up a ball of paper with numbers from one to one hundred and eight, unfolded it and read: "98."

Jinshi ranked No. 90 stood up. He was a middle-aged Confucian with a long beard and a dark complexion. He didn't know what poetry was.

"The jade face is small, and the sandalwood heart is full of fragrance. The immortal bones are full, and I want to go to Maibo." The No. 90 eight Jinshi recited a five-character quatrain, and the emperor felt that his courage was too small.

"Fairy Lingbo gave birth to dusty socks, walking lightly on the water in the moonlight. Whoever recruited this heartbroken soul, planted it as a cold flower to express sorrow. The fragrance is full of lust, and the mountains are brothers and sisters. Sit right and become a quilt flower Annoyed, go out and laugh at the river." Jia Yuanchun learned his lesson and sang a song with "magnificence".

At this time, a speech officer stood up and suggested: "Poetry is a small way, to entertain the temperament. Scholars are officials who are butchers, and they are good at strategy."

The implication is to compete with Jia Yuanchun.

"Jia Qing said that he is good at classics and history collections, so let's draw one person." The emperor smiled and agreed.

"They are all important ministers of the country. I dare not speak rashly. Please take it from your mother." Jia Yuanchun humbled himself and handed the small bowl filled with paper balls to the maid beside him. .

The queen saw Jia Yuanchun as a woman who won glory for her as a woman, and she was very excited, so she picked one at random, and the official Anzhen sang: "No.2."

Jia Yuanchun was a little nervous. If she could get a good ranking, she must have a good mental quality. It is not good for her to give her psychological hints under the pressure of the public.To be honest, as a woman, it would be an honor to be able to achieve this level, even the empress and courtiers would not be able to say anything.But Jia Yuanchun's ambition is more than that, so he wants to win happy and beautiful.

"Since Zitong is randomly selected, I should follow suit." The emperor ordered several university scholars to write the questions on the paper and let the emperor choose at will.Among the undergraduates, there are some conservative, some radical, some admire Jia Yuanchun, and some look down on Jia Yuanchun, naturally there are all kinds of difficult questions.

The emperor then took a question, and Debao sang loudly: "Everything has its appearance and its interior is rough, and every plant and every tree has its rationality." The emperor's voice was not loud enough, and only those close to him could hear it. , The eunuch called the name loudly, just to let everyone in the hall hear clearly.When it comes to the Great Court Meeting, it takes more than a dozen eunuchs to sing.

This refers to the famous Confucian saying "searching things and extending knowledge".

"Master Chu, please choose first." Jia Yuanchun gave way.

"Don't dare, Mr. Jia, please choose first." Chu Liulang is also a very personable person, otherwise he would not be ranked second among many students in the country.

"If you don't listen to Mr. Chu's choice of topic, I dare not choose it."

"Then the lower officials go first, throwing bricks to attract jade." Master Chu called himself a lower official. After the Qionglin Banquet, he will enter the Imperial Academy and be conferred a sixth-rank official position. This is a rule, but Jia Yuanchun is already a fourth-rank female talent at this time.

"Those who want to sincerely express their intentions first extend their knowledge; the extension of knowledge lies in the investigation of things. After investigating the objects, they will know them, and then they will be sincere. Things are all things, and those who investigate them come and arrive. When things arrive, their minds are clear. Distinguishing clearly, but not responding to things, is the extension of knowledge, the ultimate in knowledge. Knowing the intention is sincere, the intention is sincere, the heart is upright, the heart is upright, so the body is cultivated, the body is cultivated and the family is well-organized, the family is well-organized and the country is governed, the country is Reason makes the world equal. This is the reason why the sky and the earth can reach the sky." Chu Liulang first expressed his point of view.

"I don't think so. The way of a sage, my nature is self-sufficient, and it is a mistake to seek truth from things. There is no good or disgusting body. There is good and malicious actions. Knowing good and evil is conscience, and doing good and eliminating evil It's Gewu." Jia Yuanchun said loudly.

As soon as this remark came out, the officials were shocked. These people have been immersed in Confucianism for more than half their lives, and they have never heard such a point of view. It makes sense to think about it carefully.Regardless of whether Chu Liulang, who was standing in the center, was the protagonist, they started discussing unconsciously, and their voices became louder and louder.

"Silence! Silence!" Debao shouted, and the important ministers realized that this was in front of Sheng Jia.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me for your disrespect." All the ministers pleaded guilty together, and the emperor naturally called out gently.

The hall was extremely quiet, Jia Yuanchun broke the silence and said: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you are talking and debating. With this screen covering you, you cannot see your opponent's voice. It is conveyed by others, so you can't express your meaning. Please remove the screen."

"Jia Cairen..." The queen was interrupted by Jia Yuanchun as soon as she spoke.

"Your Majesty, if you want to learn, you are all colleagues. How can you talk about the difference between men and women." Jia Yuanchun looked at the Queen fixedly, wanting to convey to the Queen whether she would like to have a reputation of being polite and virtuous.

"Okay! Come here, take down the screen." The emperor ordered loudly.