The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

In April in the capital, the weather is suddenly warm. When a group of Jinshi passed through the Meridian Gate, a golden sun jumped out from the distant mountains. The bright red light flies thousands of miles, shining on the carved animals and birds of the Jinshui Bridge. The Fengtian Temple in front of you is like a palace in the sky, which makes people fascinated.

Chen Heng has walked this road countless times. But my mood today is somewhat unique. He is Huiyuan, and according to the ceremony, he will be ranked at the forefront of all new scholars. The neat and orderly queue followed behind him, making this Yangzhou Huiyuan feel proud to guide the country.

The leading officer led the new scholars into the Huangji Palace, where the palace examinations were held. When we got here, it was still an hour before the palace examination started. Don’t worry, officials from the Ministry of Etiquette will arrange where everyone will stand. All students should be placed on the east and west sides of Danqi with odd or even numbers according to their rankings in the joint examination.

We waited quietly until the sky was bright, the auspicious time came, and the minister of Honglu Temple ascended to the palace. As the palace music played, all the officials were solemn. Li Zhi, dressed in yellow robe, walked into the palace. Everyone present saluted. This was the conversation between Li Zhi and Gu Zaiyong.

Chen Heng was a little far away and couldn't hear clearly. But it's not hard to guess, it must be all about the scene of the test. After Gu Zaiyong reported the situation, Li Zhi nodded and handed over the test questions he thought up last night to the internal officer, who then sent them to Mr. Gu Ge.

This step is called Linxuan's decision. Mr. Gu Ge read out the test questions in public: In the year of Yiyou, in front of the Emperor's Palace, the emperor asked the tributes from all over the world to attract knowledgeable people. Today, he asked...

The question is very long, but the beginning is a quotation, which only introduces the origin of current events related to the question. The real test questions are in the last two sentences.

His Majesty has been in power for more than twenty years. He has not forgotten the teachings of the saints, devoted himself to frugality, worked hard to govern, and worked hard day and night. However, natural disasters continue and people's troubles arise one after another. What is the way of the church? How can people's troubles be eliminated?

After the announcement, Gu Shoufu took the policy into his hands, and the minister of Honglu Temple continued: The new ministers are seated.

The so-called seat is a mat covered with soft cushions and a table. Still in order of odd and even numbers, one hundred and fifty tributes were seated on the left and right. The palace examination begins at the beginning of the Chen hour, which is the time for all officials to leave.

Soon, only the invigilators headed by the cabinet, as well as other deacons, examiners, inspectors, etc. were left in the venue. When the deacon left a packet of palace cakes for each of the tributes, all that was left was to wait.

The exam begins.

As soon as the first moment of the hour came, the ceremonial officer gave the order, and the scholars began to pick up scrolls and study ink one after another.

The palace examination only tests policy questions, but the policy questions in the palace examination are different from those in the general examination and the provincial examination. The latter two's policy questions tended to be practical and current affairs, and they were Li Zhi's channels for understanding the world. The former questions tend to be more about political opinions and political skills.

At this point, we are faced with a group of people who choose the best from the best in the empire. What Li Zhi wants to see is the ambition of these people, their inner understanding and thoughts about Dayong's future. Therefore, although there is only one question in the exam, it is the most important one based on the path to officialdom.

The topic is broad and difficult to write. It is the moment that determines the fate of the next few decades, and the tributes cannot be careless. Everyone is thinking about His Majesty's intentions, and Chen Heng is no exception.

He closed his eyes and thought. People's troubles, people's troubles. If the officials force the people to rebel, if the officials don't force them, how will the people's troubles come? At a glance, the solution to this problem is naturally to start from selecting talents and appointing capable officials, using honest and good officials as envoys, and keeping the pastoral side.

This is the way to get the No. 1 Scholar. As long as it goes smoothly and without mistakes, what is waiting in front of you is a road leading directly to Qingyun.

Chen Heng held the pen and after thinking for a long time, he still hesitated. Li Zhi asked Gong Shi about his political views. Is this his own? Yes and no.

Because Chen Heng knew that this was a solution, not a radical cure. For the people of the world, it is nothing more than a cycle of three good years and three bad years.

With an upright official here, everyone can live and work in peace and contentment. When a corrupt official comes, he is afraid of the wind. If this continues, can we really expect that Ren Ren will be a good and honest official? In other words, can the people of the world really live and work in peace and contentment on the self-examination of a small group of people?

Thinking about this problem in his mind, Chen Heng fell into a moment of dilemma. He paused in place for a long time, and finally looked away from the road, even though this road had the most people walking on it and the most steady way.

I have made up my mind to see the sun and the moon with my pure heart. If a bird does not sing, it will die, and if a tree has no roots, it will die. Chen Heng could never forget the figures working in the fields. Among the people there were his grandfather, his father and uncle, himself, and many more people like himself.

I hear, I am right... Chen Heng put pen to paper. This is the fixed beginning of the imperial examination policy questions. After resigning from the Sixth Section, this is the second time he used the word Qi Chen. To this day, this word seems to carry a huge burden, and even more of a feeling in my heart.

After a simple introductory sentence, Chen Heng's writing will take off and go straight to the policy question.

The way of enlightenment by saints is to enlighten the people's wisdom, inspire kindness, and distinguish between loyalty and evil. After summarizing the way of enlightenment in a few simple sentences. Chen Heng began to sort out the origins of the people's troubles on paper, which every candidate must have written about. It's nothing more than a bad year, parents' inaction, etc.

Chen Heng's words were sharper. His habit of making up stories broke out at this time. Between the letters, the words were clear: There was an interesting story in the countryside in ancient times. It was about a blind man who went to the deaf-mute man in the village to borrow money.

Your Majesty, guess what, they are talking like ducks, one can't see and the other can't hear. After gesticulating for a long time, no one knew what each other meant. The blind man had no choice but to invite a fellow villager to help them convey the message.

The deaf man's family happened to have money and land. After being informed by the villagers, he generously lent money and food to the blind man. When the villagers saw the money and silk, they had evil thoughts. The next day, I came to borrow money again in the name of a blind man. The deaf man was kind-hearted, but even though he didn't understand it, he borrowed it.

The villagers saw that it took no effort to come, and they simply came again and again. As time went by, a kind person told the blind man about this. The blind man made this known to the public, and everyone drove the man out of the village and invited a wise man to help them.

But after a year and a half, the wise man will have to travel far. The blind man searched the village but could not find anyone he could trust.

Afterwards, the blind man stood on the side of the road and couldn't help but cry to the sky: God, God, if only I could see.

When the deaf man learned about this, he rushed to the blind man's side and cried with him.

The troubles of the people are troubles of the officials, and the troubles of the officials are here. Chen Heng looked solemn and wrote quickly on the paper, We have always heard that virtuous people are rare but not always found. The safety of the people's wealth depends on the virtuousness of one person. , putting the cart before the horse.

The saint enlightens all the people, which is the act of opening their eyes and listening to them. When ministers are among the people, it is common for the imperial court to post imperial notices, indicating that the state governments all over the world should cultivate internal governance and save money. However, the people know very little, and the speaker is even more ignorant. I don't know. The superior does not know the suffering below. Let the corrupt officials do evil in the middle and do whatever they want.

However, binding hundreds of officials with laws and binding people's hearts with morality is like putting out a fire from a drop of water, putting out a fire with tea. If things fail, they will exhaust their efforts. I believe that we should open up the people's opinions. The first priority is to open up the people's wisdom, the second is politics, and the third is In the official position, if you do all three things simultaneously and persevere, you will be able to sweep away the world.

After writing so eloquently, Chen Heng felt relieved both physically and mentally. Then I slowly added at the end, I am reckless and new, I don't know the taboos, I work hard and strictly, I am trembling with fear. I sincerely respond.

This is also the practice of the palace examination. Failure to write this sentence is directly regarded as a violation of the rules and is basically a dead end.

At last count, there were about two thousand words, which was not excessive in terms of the imperial examination. Many people around stood up to hand in their papers. Chen Heng checked the papers and handed them over to the official in charge.

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April 12th, the third day after the palace examination. Li Zhi took advantage of his free time in the imperial court and used the time he would have spent reviewing memorials to read the tributes' strategies. There were one hundred and fifty papers in total. There were articles that he read quickly, and there were also test papers that he stopped to read word for word.

He would do it personally because he could not trust Gu Zaiyong and others. What's more, Li Zhi wanted to see with his own eyes what the emperor's disciple selected this time looked like. Fortunately, what I got this time was pretty good. He found a lot of good strategies and articles from it. Li Zhi would select these articles from time to time and let the prince Li Xian and his eldest grandson Li Jun read them together for guidance.

Tomorrow is Xiao Chuanlu, the day to decide the top ten in the palace examination. Li Zhi was still holding a paper and reading it carefully. At the beginning of the paper is written the candidate's place of origin and the situation of the three generations of ancestors. His Majesty Li Xian knew that this scroll was written by Chen Heng. During the past three days, my father took it out and read it again from time to time, which shows how much Li Zhi likes it.

After reading the beginning again, Li Zhi slowly moved his eyes downward along the handsome and unruly fonts. His favorite number one scholar wrote this on the paper.

The difficulties in the world cannot be cured by strong medicines. The difficulties of education cannot be achieved in a few years. The First Emperor fought for the remaining six generations to control the world. Emperor Wu used his troops and horses to sweep away the Desert Court. Everything comes first, and so will future generations. Know the merits of our ancestors. Without the Sixth Generation, there would be no First Emperor; without Wenjing, there would be no Emperor Wu.

This was a great saying, and Li Zhi was overjoyed when he heard it. He couldn't help but pick up the teacup, take a sip, and continue to look down.

However, your Majesty's efforts in broadening the people's wisdom are no less than those of the Qin Emperor and the Han Dynasty. A few words in the history of the Qing Dynasty cannot express the gratitude of the people. The saints and sages of ancient times are in the annals of history and in the hearts of the people.

After reading it in one sitting, Li Zhi couldn't hide the joy on his brows. Li Jun was more courageous than his father. Seeing Li Zhi's strange behavior, he asked: Grandpa, have you decided on the candidate for the No. 1 pick?

Li Zhi raised his eyebrows, suppressed the smile on his lips, and said no more.

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On April 13, Chen Hengshang was sitting at home, discussing the future approach with Qian Dayou and others. The latter did not have to worry about being dismissed, but began to worry about the selection of the Imperial Academy after the imperial examination.

This step is known as the Shujishi Examination by later generations. Those who pass the exam are considered Hanlin and are called Shujishi. After three years of observing politics in the Hanlin Academy, he can be officially conferred an official position.

Don't worry if you haven't passed the exam. You can go directly to the Ministry of Personnel to find a job as an official. The starting point is naturally higher than recruiting people to serve as officials, and the order of the official positions should also be prioritized. But compared to the Hanlin people named Chu Xiang, the road ahead is far worse.

Qian Dayou and Chen Heng can advance, attack, retreat or defend. Jiang Yuanbai is really in trouble. As a candidate, even if he fails the exam, his life will not be bad when he returns home.

But Jiang Yuanbai always felt that if he took the exam again, he still had no chance of passing the exam. Rather than wasting every day in vain, it is better to get out of office in advance and work hard in the officialdom. If someone helps him, his life may not be worse than that of ordinary Jinshi.

With this thought in his mind, Jiang Yuanbai couldn't help but ask Chen Heng about the situation of the six departments. There was nothing to hide. Chen Heng told the truth, and only warned him not to be tricked by the people from the Ministry of Revenue.

Among the recent failed candidates in the capital, the most people were invited by the Ministry of Household Affairs. Some candidates who had no connections in the capital got into the Hubu Yamen by mistake due to the wrong letter. Chen Heng felt worried for them when he saw their cheerful backs.

Xue Biao was the least concerned about these things. He had already promised that after returning to Yangzhou this time, he would prepare to travel around the great rivers and mountains. He only mentioned this once, and was caught and beaten by Chen Heng and Jiang Yuanbai. It was really too much of a lie.

While everyone was still playing around in the study, Xinda suddenly ran into the room and told Chen Heng that officials from the Ministry of Rites were visiting. Chen Heng knew in his heart that it was Xiao Chuanlu's business. As he was told, he came to the front hall. As expected, the officials of the Ministry of Rites congratulated him and told him to go to Linjing Hall to meet the saint tomorrow morning.

Chen Heng was not surprised by this. He was the first player in this competition. As long as he didn't make a huge mistake, he wouldn't be out of the top ten.

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The next day, in front of Linjing Hall.

Chen Heng and nine other tributes gathered in the side hall. They came here today to let Li Zhi take a look at the candidates. If there are people who are not good-looking, most of them will fail here.

When Chen Heng arrived here, he discovered that an old acquaintance was Wen Yu, whom he had not seen for a long time. Chen Heng strolled up to him, smiled and saluted, As before.

As before, it was Wen Yu. When he saw Chen Heng arriving, he hurriedly replied: Chixing, I haven't congratulated you on passing the Huiyuan exam yet. The two became acquainted because of the incident in Shenzhou and Qingniwa, and their relationship was still there. Not bad. Chen Heng smiled and accepted the congratulations from his friend, and then joined in the conversation between Wen Yu and his friend.

When the others saw Huiyuan coming, they subconsciously came over. Now I am lucky enough to be in the same high school, and we have been friends since we were in the same year. This relationship is still very solid in the officialdom.

The ten people discussed their age, and Chen Heng was the youngest, which made everyone laugh at him. But it was Yuzhou people who took the limelight initially. Among the top ten Jinshi this time, Yuzhou had two. One is Wen Yu, and the other is his fellow countryman Tang Jingsen.

After everyone talked for a while, they were summoned by Li Zhi. Everyone went in alone, and when it was Chen Heng's turn, he was already in fifth place.

The monarch and his ministers met again, and the atmosphere was not much different from before. Li Zhi was in a good mood today. When we met, he smiled and asked: If I ask you to participate in the selection of the library, would you like to make up a story for me?

I don't dare. Chen Heng hurriedly bowed and smiled, and then said, If your Majesty wants to hear it, I can say it at any time.

Li Zhi nodded at him and directed the conversation to the subject's marriage, When are you going to marry the daughter of Lin Qing's family?

Go back to Your Majesty. After the grand ceremony, we will prepare to come to propose marriage and discuss matters.

Can you find a good wedding officiant? Li Zhi became interested and asked hurriedly. He was going to the second-rank official's house to propose marriage, and he guessed that Chen Heng wouldn't be able to find a suitable candidate.

Your Majesty, not yet. Chen Heng was also an older girl getting on the sedan chair for the first time. Ask him to read the Four Books and Five Classics, and he can still speak one, two, and three. When it comes to marriage, I am blinded.

Okay. Li Zhi nodded, waved his hand directly and said, Go down.

No, Your Majesty, why don't you just ask Lehe for the total? Chen Heng muttered and didn't know much to say, so he just followed the officials from the Ministry of Rites and left.

There is no need to wait in the Linjing Hall for a long time after meeting the Holy Spirit. Chen Heng said hello to Tong Nian and went home directly to prepare for tomorrow's passing ceremony.

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April 15th is a good day. The red light of the morning sun shone on the central axis of the palace. Hundreds of officials gathered in front of the Fengtian Palace. Jinwu guards stood on both sides, watching the new scholars standing beside them.

After this group of people entered through the Meridian Gate, the rituals and music in the square never stopped. The golden light is covered with golden tiles, and the morning glow from thousands of miles away makes the tributes feel relaxed and happy. In half an hour, they will complete the biggest change in their lives.

The three messengers responsible for singing during the ceremony were already in place, standing in sequence from the front of the hall to the end of the steps. These people all have good voices, and the tributes are also looking forward to being the first to hear about their achievements from their mouths.

The hours passed little by little, and the spring breeze was still blowing. As the flags swayed, the sound of clothes blowing could be heard. Suddenly, bursts of bells were heard from a distance, followed immediately by two whips. A chief eunuch moved to the front of the palace and said loudly: Your Majesty has a decree for all civil and military officials to come to Fengtian Palace to pay homage.

The Chuanlu Ceremony is a grand event for the country, and the atmosphere in front of the palace is solemn and solemn. As the most regulated building in the palace, Fengtian Palace will not be opened easily. During the two years that Chen Heng lived, he only heard the morning court in the square in front of Fengtian Hall.

The civil and military officials went first. The Jinshi still had to wait outside, but it was not too late for them to enter the palace. After a while, Wei Yinghong, who was the Minister of Rites at the time, came out holding the gold medal. He stood at the desk in front of the hall and waited for a moment.

The music continued, and Wei Yinghong and the ceremony officer looked at each other to confirm that it was an auspicious time. Just as a group of Jinshi were eager to see through it, they unfolded the gold list in their hands.

On the Bingshen day of the Yichen month of the Yiyou year, the emperor asked the world's talented and wise men. The first three were selected. The first was awarded the sixth rank, the second and third were awarded the seventh rank, and the second was awarded the Jinshi. The second A Take forty-seven, and be awarded the seventh rank, and be born as a Jinshi. The third one, take one hundred people, be awarded the eighth rank, and be born as a Jinshi.

Regardless of Wei Yinghong's location, he is not far from the Xinke Jinshi Department. But Fengtian Square is so big and the wind is blowing so fast that it can't be heard by just hearing.

But it doesn't matter, Wei Yinghong's singing officer is prepared for this. After Wei Yinghong finished reading the preface, he paused for a moment, and then said with all his strength: Chen Heng, who won the first place in the imperial examination of Yiyou year, Yichen month, Bingshen day—

The boss shouted very hard, just enough for the messenger beside him to hear clearly. He immediately straightened up and said loudly.

Chen Heng came first in the imperial examination on the day of Yichen, month of Bingshen, in the year of Yiyou.

After one sound, another sound started.

Chen Heng came first in the imperial examination on the day of Yichen, month of Bingshen, in the year of Yiyou.

Chen Heng came first in the imperial examination on the day of Yichen, month of Bingshen, in the year of Yiyou.

As the three passers-by finished chanting in turn, all the Jinshi including Chen Heng experienced the first time in their lives.

At this moment, another voice came from the Jinluan Palace.

Chen Heng has an audience.

Declaration of first place, first place, Chen Heng comes to see you.

Your Majesty has a decree to announce that the first person will be ranked number one. Chen Heng is here to see you.

The shouts came like a relay, and the sky light suddenly broke through the clouds, and suddenly a beam of light shone on the eaves of Fengtian Hall. The etiquette officer waiting outside came to Chen Heng's side and said softly: No. 1 Scholar, Your Majesty summons you to the palace for an audience.

After receiving his reminder, Chen Heng woke up from the great joy. The pounding heartbeat just now made his mind go blank and he had no time to react.

I'll see if I can drive Chapter 2 Number One Scholar out of the street. I was fine this afternoon, but suddenly I have work in the evening. It’s uncomfortable...but don’t panic, I’ll have dinner and continue writing, hahahahahaha