The topic of imperial examination fraud was replaced by the imperial court's Military Intelligence Division sabotaging the imperial examination, and Yong Gong prepared tens of thousands of people to demand punishment of the Military Intelligence Division. The people in Xiangyang City were furious, especially the poor candidates who were extremely indignant at the Military Intelligence Division's move, and they went to Yong Gong's Mansion* **.
Yang Anxuan posted the transcript of his memorial on the white wall. On the side of the wall were six tables with pens, inks, paper and inkstones for people to write down their origins, names and surnames. The appendix was sent to the imperial court after the memorial. In less than two days, more than 4,000 signatures were collected.
In the lobby, more than a foot of signature paper was stacked together, which was particularly eye-catching. The Minister of Civil Affairs moved his eyes away from above and looked at Yang Anxuan who was sitting in the middle. He advised in a harsh voice: "Yong Gong, think twice and save some dignity for the court."
Yang Anxuan used thunderous means to capture eleven people from the Military Intelligence Department in one fell swoop and uncovered a stronghold. The identity bronze medals of these eleven people were placed there, which was conclusive; six steel knives were found from a shop disguised as a rice shop, and six steel knives were also found. There are some artifacts for transmitting information, and two pieces of information that have not yet been sent out. Yang Anxuan handed over the seized information to Sima Zhenzhi and others for reading. The above was the description of the Xiangyang test subject's preparation for the petition. ..net
"The Military Intelligence Department has repeatedly targeted Yuruo. If he remained silent, he was considered weak and could be bullied. This imperial examination was approved by the Emperor. The Military Intelligence Department's move was clearly against the will and will not stop until Shen Tianziyu is severely punished." Yang Anxuan said decisively. refused.
Sima Zhenzhi smiled and said: "It would be good if Yonggong went to Emperor Shu to report this matter. The Military Intelligence Department did go too far this time, and it does need to be punished."
Yu Huan walked into the hall, bowed with a smile, presented the thick slip of paper in his hand, and said: "Yong Gong, King Liang, this is the arrangement for the 760 candidates to take the test. Please tell Yong Gong. .”
Yang Anxuan had already seen the list. He pretended to look through it a few times and handed the list to Sima Zhenzhi beside him. Of course, Sima Zhenzhi would not look at it carefully and took a rough look at the top two names.
Among the Jinshi list, there are Du Ji from Jingzhao, the prefect of Wenshan County (recalling Qian Lei); Yu Ying from Xiangyang, counselor of Yonggong Mansion; Wei Zong from Fancheng, the administrator of Wudu County in Qinzhou... Most of the 60 people are county magistrates, county magistrates, County clerk and other positions.
There are seven hundred people on the list of candidates, which is obviously not as good as the list of Jinshi. The first place is Shangdang Yansong, who is awarded the title of Registrar of Chengyang County in Beiqingzhou; Shangluo Hecheng is the magistrate of Xixiang County; Xuanhan Pei Xi is the magistrate of Hande County... the top ten The first 80 names are awarded to the county magistrate or above. The first 80 people hold the positions of county magistrate, county magistrate, chief registrar, county lieutenant, etc. The first 300 people are mostly county cadres, record office, literary bureau, etc.; after the 300th, they are secretary assistants. , Yisheng, Xunxing, Xiaoshi, Zuogan, pavilion chief and other officials.
After a casual glance, Sima Zhenzhi handed the roster to Wang Yu beside him and said calmly: "Very good."
Wang Yu looked at the roster and said, "Yong Gong, there are some people on this roster who want to go to Jiankang to serve as officials. They foolishly thought that the purpose of trying the imperial examination was to recruit useful talents for the country and to serve the imperial court, so they agreed. "
Shi Ping smiled quickly and said, "Yes, Shangdang Yansong also intends to go to Jiankang."
Yang Anxuan's face darkened, and an invisible pressure spread in the lobby. Wang Yu felt a little wet in the back of his heart.
Sima Zhenzhi smiled and said softly: "An Xuan, Xiangyang has recruited 760 scholars. It is normal for a few people to be willing to serve in Beijing. Don't worry too much."
Yang Anxuan's livid face softened a bit, and he said stiffly: "Since the King of Liang interceded, I didn't bother to care about it, so I checked out the list of candidates who were willing to go to Jiankang and no longer appointed them."
Wang Yu and others breathed a sigh of relief and rattled off forty-six names. There were fourteen people on the Jinshi list. Seven people including Zhang Ke and Guo Ling were all present. Yang Anxuan secretly said in his heart that he wished these seven people would leave. .
There are thirty-two people on the list, and the most unfortunate thing is that Yan Song is at the top of the list. Yang Anxuan has read the top ten papers on both lists. Kong Yi commented on Yan Song's policy: "His ambitions are high, he is aware of the subtleties of things, he understands the sufferings of the people, and he still has a good attitude." On top of the rest."
Yang Anxuan asked Ding Quan to inquire about Yan Song's background and found out that he was not tolerated by his biological mother and brothers, so he was forced to come from Wei to Jin as an official. Such a talent knew the truth and falsehoods of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Yang Anxuan planned to let him go to Beiqingzhou to practice for two years and then transfer him back to Xiangyang for re-employment. Unexpectedly, he was tempted by Shi Ping and went to Jiankang.
Yang Anxuan ordered the names of these people to be crossed out, and said coldly: "Everyone has his own ambitions, and forceful melons are not sweet. I hope these people can be reused in Beijing."
Sima Zhen's way: "Science
The matter has come to an end. I will return to Beijing in two days. I will say goodbye to An Xuan first. "
Yang Anxuan smiled and said, "Tomorrow I will hold a banquet to bid farewell to King Liang and all the princes."
After sending Sima Zhenzhi and other court officials away, Yang Anxuan summoned Ding Quan alone and confessed: "It is better to publicize the names of those who went to Jiankang to serve as officials, so that these people will be criticized and cast aside."
Ding Quan said angrily: "These people really don't know good and evil. The Lord is under pressure to find a way for them to advance. After these people win, they will be ungrateful and turn to Liu Yu. They also don't think about the fact that there are many powerful families in the capital. They will have their day."
Yang Anxuan said coldly: "Those who are short-sighted will eventually reap the consequences. Liu Yu has repeatedly taken action secretly. If he does not fight back, it will get worse."
Ding Quan bowed and said solemnly: "Please tell me, sir."
Yang Anxuan told Ding Quan in a low voice, and Ding Quan nodded frequently, followed the order and left. …
More than 700 names were posted on the gold list, followed by the official positions they were appointed to, which aroused the excitement in the entire Xiangyang City, and even merchants came to watch the excitement outside Yonggong's Mansion.
There are excited discussions everywhere, and the names on the list are constantly mentioned. Parents educate their children in schools to study hard, and one day they will be able to rise to the top like the names on the list and become officials without having to meet again. Turn your back to the sky and face the loess.
Of course, the appointment of officials is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Nearly one-fifth of the more than 700 lists were selected and assigned to good counties and good positions within the prescribed range.
Yu Huan was smiling from ear to ear these days. The lord asked him to take charge of the imperial examination. He was a little tired, but the benefits were many. He received more than 20 rare calligraphy and paintings.
Fu Rongzhong was in the 392nd position. He had no connections in the government, so he was appointed as the Councilor of Qingshui County, Lueyang.
After looking at the list, Fu Rong was a little disappointed. He was in the ninth rank, and he was considered a minor official. However, Lueyang, Qinzhou, was far away and remote. He was still at war with the Qin army some time ago. He had the impression that it was a bitter and cold place. Going there Being an official may put your life in danger, so this proposal is useless.
Returning to the Beimen residence, the attendant Ji Yuxiang served tea diligently and asked in a low voice: "Rong Lang, are the results of the conferment coming out?"
"Hmm," Fu Rong snorted, took a sip of tea and said, "Qingshui County, Lueyang, Qinzhou (there was Qingshui City in 114 BC during the Yuanding period of the Western Han Dynasty, and today's Qingshui City is not far southeast of the original Qingshui City). .”
"What, so far." Yuxiang exclaimed.
Fu Rong cursed angrily: "Dinner is ready, I'm hungry."
Yuxiang bowed her head and silently walked out of the hall to the kitchen.
Fu Rong sat in the hall in a daze. He was thirty-seven this year. He was married and had children in Yuhan County, Poyang, Jiangzhou. Because of his livelihood, he went to Xiangyang to make a living as a pawnbroker. This time he won the candidate list, and he has already sent a letter to his home. It will probably not take long for his wife to come to meet him at home.
Duke Yong was very kind and allowed candidates who won the official position not to rush to take office, but to go home and reunite with their families first, and then take office before March next year, so there is plenty of time.
Fu Rong stroked his beard and thought. Before he was elected, he was in a difficult situation. The shopkeepers were making things difficult for him. But the ranking list immediately changed. Not only did he have a house in Xiangyang, he also had a concubine. All of this came from winning the election. Therefore, in the long run, no matter how difficult it is, we have to do it.
This is the first time for the imperial examination. Judging from the trend, it will definitely replace the ninth-grade Zhongzheng as the first choice for candidates. As the first batch of talents to be selected, I have a bright future. Fu Rong narrowed his eyes and stayed in Qingshui County for two or three years, and then looked for an opportunity to move to Si Yan. In ten or eight years, he might become the magistrate of a county.
Thinking this way, Fu Rong's depressed mood eased a lot. He planned to wait for his family to come and spend the New Year together in Xiangyang, then sell the house and Yuxiang, and he should be able to collect eight or nine thousand yuan. Yonggong said that people going to take office would be received in the post house along the way, and there would be no expenses on the way. When they arrived in Qingshui City, the 8,000 yuan would be enough to buy a second-class house, and the official salary would be enough for the family's daily expenses, and he would be an official while doing so. Goddess, in the future a good son will be able to become an official by taking the imperial examination just like he did.
After winning the examination, Fu Rong made friends with many successful candidates. Fu Rong also attended several cocktail parties convened by the nobles. He got acquainted with Mr. Yanlang of the Pang family and wrote two poems for him to please the prostitutes in the brothel.
Mr. Yanlang gave him two thousand dollars to polish his pen.
This Yanlangjun likes to be flattered, so Fu Rong thought about finding a chance to meet this Yanlangjun again, and find a way to please him and ask for five or six thousand yuan, so that he would not have to worry when he went to Qingshui. .
Yuxiang brought wine and food into the hall. After having enough wine and food, Fu Rong toiled until midnight before falling asleep. However, Yuxiang, the person beside him, turned away and cried silently.
She was originally from a Taoist priest in Lingling County, Jingzhou. She was sold as a servant by her family and came to Xiangyang. Later, she was favored by Shopkeeper Xu and accepted as a concubine. She was then transferred to Fu Rong by Shopkeeper Xu.
Yuxiang learned that Fu Rong was the successful test candidate. She originally thought that after all the hardships, she would be taken into the concubine by Fu Rong, and giving him a boy and a half girl would be a way to rely on him in the future. Unexpectedly, during dinner, Fu Rong revealed that he was going to take his wife and children to Qingshui to take up his post and sell her and the yard. Yuxiang felt despair and wondered why her life was so miserable.
Fu Rong's snoring was harsh in her ears. Yuxiang got up and went to the courtyard, sitting under the eaves in a daze. The moonlight fell like water, and her eyes rolled down like beads.
There was a coughing sound from the courtyard next door, it was Aunt Wang. Yuxiang remembered that her neighbor Aunt Wang had said a few days ago that Shenjiazhuang was recruiting a large number of weavers, and that each piece of cloth would be given a thousand yuan for food, clothing, and housing. She would have wanted to go if she hadn't been unable to leave at home.
Yuxiang had weaved cloth with her mother. It took about sixty or seventy days to weave a piece of cloth, and she could earn four to five hundred dollars in that month. Yuxiang was very excited at the time, but her contract of sale was in the hands of Shopkeeper Xu, so she could not make her own work. host.
Fu Rong wanted to transfer her to someone else, which made Yuxiang feel despair. She had no hope for this day and thought of secretly going to Shenjiazhuang to work as a weaver. Yuxiang asked Aunt Wang that the mistress of Shenjiazhuang was Yonggong's sister. She heard that the admission was very generous and no formalities were required. If she went there alone, Fu Rong would never dare to go and look for her.
As long as he can survive the Chinese New Year and Fu Rong goes to Qingshui County to take office, he may be able to escape, find a good family to marry, and live out his life in peace. After making up her mind, Yuxiang returned to the house, glanced at the sleeping Fu Rong with disgust, and fell asleep at the end of the couch with her clothes on.
