It was the first day of April in the twenty-fourth year of Chongning in Daxia.
The red sun quietly jumped out of the top of the mountain, casting a vast ocean of wanton light.
In the square in front of the Huangji Palace illuminated by the morning sun, three hundred Gongsheng students stood quietly.
They are the proud ones who won the Dragon Gate this time, and they are also the final winners of this fierce "fight" that lasted for three years.
The green faces were filled with nervous expectations.
Vigorous vitality, after three years, once again filled this sluggish palace.
After the roll call was completed, Acting Minister of Rites Wang Ruoshui glanced at Xia Jingyun who was standing at the front of the team and said loudly: "Gongsheng enters the palace!"
Under the guidance of the etiquette officer, everyone entered the Huangji Palace with anxious and nervous steps.
At this moment, they don't know that for most of them, this may be the only time they enter this hall in their lives.
In the main hall, tables and futons had been placed one after another, as well as the name tags of each candidate. Everyone had lined up in this order before, so they found their seats effortlessly after entering.
Then, under the guidance of Wang Ruoshui, the Minister of Rites, they performed a series of tedious activities such as hair curling, worship, and salutes. They were almost confused after the tossing, and finally got to the point.
Wang Ruoshui, the Minister of Rites, stood in front of everyone, took a sealed box from the hands of the eunuch Gao Yi, tore open the seal, took out a bright yellow scroll, opened it, and recited the policy question on behalf of His Majesty.
"Zhi said: I have heard that the ancient sage kings hung down their clothes and ruled the world. However, at that time, there were still people who had not yet brought peace to the world. The ministers left them to the bottom and could do nothing. They could only find the people and assign orders to them. This is If you manage it without labor, I will always praise you and admire you very much."
"I have governed the world for twenty-four years. I have served God and the ancestors of the Constitution day and night. I have selected good civil and military officials. I want to eliminate the harm to the people and let them live. I have worked hard and never slacked off. However, floods and droughts are disasters. , the people of Li are starving, Di Rong is on the alert, the border is surrounded by peace, and the bandit chaos is even worse. It has been going on for more than a year, but there is still no peace. How can Si Mo care about my heart, and choose and appoint the right person?"
"I have a heart to love the people, but I have not done so. I have a will to curb chaos, but the effect has not been achieved. It is because the past and the present are not the same, and I have not found the ministers who can serve as in the past! I would like to have all the superiors and subordinates work together to improve political affairs and military affairs. If the invaders and troubles are eliminated, the people will be safe and the country will be solid, comparable to the rule of the ancient sage kings, how can this be achieved? You, my men, will display them carefully, and do not be afraid or hide them. I will gather them and go."
With the sound of a yellow bell, everyone was allowed to answer.
Some people just put pen to paper and write vigorously;
Some people folded their arms, closed their eyes, and drafted;
There are also people who scratch their heads, write a few strokes, pause a few times, and then write again.
In this huge hall where needles can be heard quietly, the soft brush and the delicate white paper rub together to produce a rare and beautiful rhythm in this world.
This answer was answered from sunrise to dusk. When everyone handed in their papers, everything followed the paper filled with ink words and carrying the results of their hard work for more than ten years. After the dust settled, everyone , both physically and mentally exhausted.
Although there were some energetic Gongsheng who were inspired by something unknown and went out to have fun together and put themselves in danger, most people still went back to the guild hall, inn or home to rest.
They were relaxed, but the work behind the scenes had just begun.
A group of officials from the Ministry of Rites were busy with receiving the scroll, holding the scroll, and sealing it, and finally sorted out the scroll.
Fortunately, there is no need to copy in the palace examination, only the name is required, otherwise I don’t know how long it will take to work.
In the early morning of the next day, eight marking officers arrived together.
The palace examination papers only comment on the pros and cons and give the overall opinion, with [○] being the best. The eight marking officers have to read each paper. Finally, the ten papers with the most [○] will be presented to the emperor and handed in. The emperor will determine the best three, and draw up the rankings of the top three, which are the so-called top pick, second pick and top pick. when
The eight marking officials sat down, and one of them smiled and said: "Xia Jingyun of Sishui Prefecture has already won two yuan in a row. I wonder if he can match Mr. Su and become the second person in the country to win three yuan in a row."
Then someone else echoed, "In the more than 300 years since the founding of the Xia Dynasty, there has only been one person like Su Lao Xianggong who has won three yuans in a row. If Xia Jingyun can achieve this again, your majesty's civil governance achievements will surpass all the emperors in this dynasty!"
Someone else nodded and said: "Yes, if the Chongning Dynasty can produce two people who win three yuan in a row, His Majesty will definitely be very happy."
But at this moment, a voice said coldly: "Whether he can win three yuan in a row depends on his own ability. We must not make judgments against our will for the sake of His Majesty's favor or our own selfish desires."
Everyone turned to look at the speaker and found that it was the Imperial Academy's Wangui Li.
It was obvious to everyone that this loyal minister to the prince, whom almost everyone knew, did not want to see Xia Jingyun achieve such great achievements.
"Are you used to talking about Wanjijiu in the Imperial College? Have you forgotten what the occasion is?"
An old man snorted coldly and started spraying.
Are you kidding me? Half of your ability to be a marking officer was given by your official position. Once you get here, you will just stay there.
Originally, everyone was joking about it, but you insist on putting on airs there, but we are not used to your bad habits!
Some peacemakers also stood up and said, "Okay, okay, Ten Thousand Sacrifice Wine is also kind. Everyone should mark the papers carefully. It is not easy to read these three hundred copies carefully."
Everyone knew that the task was heavy, so they stopped arguing and looked at it seriously.
The sun was rising gradually, and the sound of flipping papers in the room was heard one after another, accompanied from time to time by bursts of praise and angry scolding.
"Wonderful! Wonderful! This article is definitely enough to rank in the top three or even win the first prize!"
An old man suddenly looked at an answer sheet and was full of praise.
Everyone is not very curious. Everyone has different tastes and temperaments. There are some words that you can just listen to. It's not like I haven't heard them before.
When the old man finished admiring it with his head shaking, he drew a circle with satisfaction and firmness, and handed it to his next person, even with a bit of reluctance.
His next person reached out and took it, casting a doubtful glance before his eyes suddenly opened wide.
Then he stared at it intently until he finished reading it in one breath, then he let out a sigh of relief and said, "This article is not inferior to the previous number one articles!"
After hearing these words, several people nearby became interested.
If one person says it's good, it may be because of the unique taste, but if two people give it such a high rating, it's probably not that simple.
The old man below the man became curious, "Oh, now that you say it, how can I understand such crude writing! Come on, deliver it quickly!"
As he said that, he put an X on his share and reached out to ask for it.
After I took it over, I scanned it briefly and was immediately excited, "Wonderful! It's really wonderful! What a great article and discussion!"
Everyone was really curious about what these three people said one after another. They simply put down the papers in their hands and walked over to watch together.
Then they couldn't help but admire it, and directly drew their own circles on it with a pen.
Wan Guili, the Imperial Academy's wine-offering minister, was also among the people joining in the fun, but his heart skipped a beat when he saw the handwriting.
"Wanjijiu, do you think this article is not good?"
When everyone had circled and only Wan Guili did not move, the old Confucian man who initially scolded Wan Guili directly in person glanced sideways and asked.
Looking at the nine red circles on it, Wan Guili was heartbroken and drew an X on it with his pen.
"you!"
The old man was furious.
"Wan Guili! You are acting selfishly and you are not serving as a marking officer!"
Wan Guili also took the risk and said loudly: "Whatever the policy is, each marking officer has his own judgment. If you think it is good, you have to agree with it. How can this be the case? According to what you said, one person will do it." , why should there be eight marking officers!”
After all, those who hang out in the court and talk nonsense, how can these great scholars who are well-read in poetry and books be their opponents!
Everyone could only be helpless and furious, they couldn't hold Wan Guili's hand and make him change.
But because of this, in the next paper, in order to ensure that the answer sheet could be submitted to the emperor, many of the other marking officers who could have been circled were only given symbols such as [△], resulting in this session containing [ ○] The quantity is greatly reduced.
Such a derivation is something that many people have not thought of. Of course, this is all a story for another day.
The final result was that the article with nine circles and one cross was finally successfully sent to Emperor Chongning's desk.
And it was directly placed in the first place by the chief marking officer.
In fact, it doesn't matter if you don't have to put it first.
Because he had seen the original post of "When will the bright moon come" and carefully observed and studied the calligraphy of Jiang Laojun Shen, Emperor Chongning recognized this unique and master-like calligraphy at the first sight.
He picked it up with a smile and looked at the content of the policy.
[I replied: I heard that the emperor’s imperial duties are the best, and he should embody the emperor’s way and serve the heart of heaven, and then he can build long-lasting peace and long-term governance. The ministers should be disciplined to fulfill their heavenly duties, and then they can achieve internal repair and external resistance. Why? The ruler of human beings is given by Heaven to unify all directions and dominate all peoples. His position is honorable and his responsibilities are heavy, so the way of the king is always easy. Human ministers are those who are ordained by heaven to control the affairs of the common people. His divisions are humble and his affairs are complicated, so the ministers and ministers are always busy. 】
[His Majesty the Emperor Qin Wei has a strong and upright posture, a virtuous minister who combines the movement of yin and yang and hid in the grass. He has been covered with holy water for a long time and has covered the reach of the sage. He first described the governance of the ancient sages and sages, and then followed the disasters of floods, droughts, and thieves. , it is the fault of others for the failure of things, but in the end, the husband has the skills to calm the people and relieve the disaster. The emperor said that the heart of caring about the country and the people can be seen in the words. Dare not to reveal the foolishness, in order to praise the people. What if? 】
[The ancient sage kings, as intelligent and extremely sage masters, managed silently and without action, and they also led and trained ministers who were diligent and diligent to help achieve peace. Therefore, the people suffered from hardships, floods and droughts were disasters, and the barbarians from all over the world were affected. If you are not polite, the sage is not unsympathetic. Only his loyal and good assistants are enough to praise the emperor, to defeat his neighbors, and to promote the emperor's principles. How can it be an accident that he has achieved long-term peace and stability, and has achieved internal repair and external resistance? 】
[It has been twenty-four years since His Majesty Fu Guan came to the throne! Today, all the people gathered in Ruixian and the four spirits have arrived, which is enough to show your majesty's great virtues and achievements, which have been outstanding for a hundred generations! However, floods and droughts are disasters, and there is the worry of drowning and drying up. The barbarians invaded the southeast, but the southern frontier was at peace. The northern barbarians jumped into the northwest, and the border areas were repeatedly frightened. What's more, the trend of banditry and chaos has gradually spread, which is not suitable for the prosperous times. It is the day when the ancient sages cared about the people and worked hard! 】
【.His Majesty's love for the people is as good as heaven and earth, but the ministers cannot uphold their virtues and promote the prosperity of the country. Your Majesty's determination to contain the enemy is as decisive as thunder. But the ministers cannot use their majesty to eliminate the fierceness of the Qing Dynasty. He is proud of his ancient sage, but he is ashamed of his many ministers who are virtuous kings. 】
【.To plan for today, don't appoint people first, especially before choosing people. When the country appoints officials, it is not impossible not to appoint them, but I think they are not worthy of their appointment. When a country gathers talented people, it is not unreasonable to choose people! I thought I had chosen it but was not careful. If you do not appoint people properly and choose them carefully, but you want to get people to serve as saints, this is like a pillar that has not been filled, but needs to be used as pillars. I know that it is incompetent! 】
[Those who insist on cultivating internal governance should make a careful choice to just abide by the order. If you want to treat other patients, you have to choose your general carefully! 】
[Yi Chen also heard that the imperial court is the ultimate in all directions, and the pure heart is the pivot of employing people. But Your Majesty always has a heart of respect, and he just holds his head high. Respect should be kept in the heart and not let go; one should be kept in reason but not mixed. When you are deep in the palace and in the palace, you never forget the concern of knowing people and bringing peace to the people; when you are living in seclusion, you are strict and respectful to Heaven and the Patriarch, then your heart is upright and all the officials in the court are in the same place. Are there some civil and military officials who are not flattering, and some generals who are guarding orders but are not motivated? I don't know the taboos, I risk the power of heaven, and I am trembling and falling. I am respectful. 】
After seeing the end of the last word, Emperor Chongning, who was still flipping through the book, realized that he had read it all without knowing it.
I have to say, this policy essay is really well written.
The format, conception, and literary talent are all excellent. The most important thing is that the other party has found a very subtle and reasonable balance between flattering yourself and expressing your own thoughts.
I didn't feel offended, and at the same time I said everything I wanted to say.
As an emperor, as a smart emperor, of course he knew that his subjects would follow his words and flatter him.
But he likes flattery to be true, but he also likes people who flatter him and do practical things well at the same time. Otherwise, how can he succeed in governing.
"I won two yuan in a row and wrote an article like this. I won't be a bad person. It's the beauty of being an adult!"
As he spoke, he picked up the ink pen, drew a big circle on it, and wrote the word "first" in the circle.
——
The next day, the fourth day of April.
Early in the morning, three hundred Gongsheng students once again appeared in the square in front of Huangji Hall.
What was different from before was that this time, there were hundreds of officials from the DPRK and Central Government standing with them.
This is the last and grandest scene of every imperial examination: the Chuanlu Ceremony.
Three years of hard work, at this moment, the coffin is finalized, and the future of everyone involved is also slowly unfolding at this moment.
Three hundred Gongsheng students stood in the center. In front of them was the ceremonial guard of the Jinwu Guards. There were also ritual music and Shao music on the side. On both sides of them stood the civil and military officials who had looked up to them.
They are the absolute center here today, and they are the focus of the world.
For many people, this is also the most glorious moment in their lives. In the rest of their lives, it will never be possible to have such glory and stand on such a stage just by taking exams.
Although their expressions are still quite unnatural, they are more of the unconscious trembling and fear of being in such a scene, coupled with a bit of worry about the outcome, rather than the worry of performance two days ago. of tension.
Because everything has settled.
The ritual music was played quietly, and Emperor Chongning slowly arrived at the venue in his imperial chariot.
Under the guidance of the etiquette officer, everyone paid homage together.
Emperor Chongning smiled warmly and looked at the three hundred tribute students below, "You talented people, I will just say one thing: My hope is in you, the hope of the country is in you, and the hope of the people is also in you. I hope you will follow From now on, be loyal to the affairs of the country. Just like the words of the world praising the old military god, you can solve the affairs of the king and the world, and win your reputation before and after your life!"
Seeing Tianyan for the first time, all the Gongsheng students were trembling with excitement.
His Majesty's personal expectations turned into a fire surging in his chest, his pride suddenly aroused, his ambition soaring, and the sparks of ideals sparkling in his eyes.
Under the guidance of the etiquette officer, they roared like thunder, "I will remember your Majesty's teachings!"
Emperor Chongning stopped talking, took out three test papers from the tray on the side, and handed them to Wang Ruoshui, the Minister of Rites, with his own hands.
Originally, this job was supposed to be taken over by the prime minister, but now Qin Weizhong is still interrogating at the Black Ice Platform, and his position is vacant. Emperor Chongning did not want to give the wrong impression to these ministers who were looking at him like wolves and tigers, so he simply asked Wang Ruoshui. coming.
Everyone looked at Wang Ruoshui eagerly and looked at the answer sheet in his hand.
The owners of these three papers will be the three most glorious people this time. They will enjoy the admiration and envy of all people and embark on a straight road to success.
Wang Ruoshui picked up the first answer sheet and read it aloud.
Then he opened his name in public and said in a slightly trembling voice: "On April 1, the 24th year of Chongning, we planned to test the tributes from all over the world. The first-class scholar was awarded the title of Jinshi. The first-class scholar was awarded Sishui Prefecture, Xia Jingyun!"
One after another, their eyes were full of shock, envy, jealousy and many other thoughts, all looking at the figure standing at the front of the team.
At the center of everyone's attention, Xia Jingyun stepped out of the queue, stood on the left side of the royal road, and shouted: "I thank your Majesty for your kindness."
More than 300 years after the founding of Daxia, he was the second person to win three yuan in a row.
Appeared!
Xia Jingyun did it!
That’s it for today. It’s a bit brain-burning and difficult to write.
PS: The policy questions and policy theory in this chapter are all based on the policy theory of Shen Shixing, the number one scholar in the 41st year of Jiajing.
In order to choose a suitable one that fits the character, I went through all the strategies of the number one scholar in the past, and my eyes were dazzled.
Forgive me.
or2
(End of chapter)
