After entering Xin Suanzao Gate, Sun Lei and the others passed through Fan Tower and followed Huangjianyuan Street to Pan Tower. After crossing the temple bridge, they saw the Daxiangguo Temple.
The prosperity along the way dazzled everyone who came to Tokyo for the first time, and only then did they realize how prosperous Tokyo is.
"This Daxiangguo Temple is still very busy. It's almost dark and there are still so many pilgrims."
Sun Lei looked at the pilgrims lining up to enter the Daxiangguo Temple and sighed, no matter what time of year, there are always a lot of people burning incense and worshiping Buddha.
"Brother, it's almost the Chinese New Year, and there are already a lot of people burning incense. It also happens to coincide with the imperial examination that happens every three years. Naturally, there are a lot of people burning incense."
Lin Chong explained that because it was getting dark and no one recognized him after walking all the way, he was finally not so nervous anymore.
Lin Chong is a native of Tokyo. At this time in previous years, he and his wife would burn incense and make wishes everywhere, so he naturally knew about the Daxiangguo Temple.
“It’s a tradition since ancient times to burn incense and worship Buddha as soon as the exam comes. This can be considered an inherited culture!”
Sun Lei laughed. He remembered that during the final exam in college, his roommate who had never believed in Buddhism religiously offered incense to the Buddha and said that as long as he didn't fail the exam, he would fulfill his vow. It turned out that the Buddha didn't know how to solve calculus.
"There are too many people here!"
Wu Song sighed.
"In the early years of the Song Dynasty, there were nearly 100,000 candidates for each examination. In recent years, the literary style has become more and more prosperous, and it is normal to have hundreds of thousands of candidates for each subject. In the second year of Renzong Jiayou, Ouyang Xiu served as the chief examiner, and Wang Gui, Mei Zhi, Han Jiang , Mei Yaochen and others served as exam companions. There were more than 400,000 candidates that year, and the entire southern city of Tokyo was filled with candidates!"
"The general examination started on the sixth day of the first lunar month and ended on the fifth day of March. A total of 899 people were admitted to each subject, of which 388 were Jinshi. The admission rate for Jinshi is less than one thousandth!"
"In terms of Jinshi in that subject alone, famous scholars such as Su Shi, Su Che, and Zeng Gong were produced, as well as Zhang Zai, Cheng Hao, and Cheng Yi. Later, nine people in that subject became prime ministers, namely: Wang Shao, Zheng Yong, Liang Tao, Lu Huiqing, Su Che, Lin Xi, Zeng Bu, Zhang Hong, Zhang Dun."
Wen Huanzhang was filled with emotion when he looked at the Daxiangguo Temple where people were coming and going. He also took part in the imperial examination, but unfortunately he failed to get on the list after taking the exam several times. In the end, he had no choice but to give up, but when he thought about it, Su Shi could only It's a relief to be a Jinshi but not to be in the top three.
"Four hundred thousand?"
Sun Lei was a little surprised. This is not the modern era. In ancient times with inconvenient transportation and lack of information, it is unimaginable that 400,000 people came to Beijing to take the exam. It was okay for those in the Central Plains, but they could not reach Bianliang, Tokyo, in a month. But Guangnan, Candidates from the southwest may have to walk for half a year, and the journey is difficult due to bandits and tigers.
"No wonder it was changed from once a year to once every three years. If this happened every year, time would be wasted on the road."
Sun Lei smiled.
"I'm afraid there will be more than 300,000 this year!"
Xiao Jiasui smiled and shook his head and said, the Song Dynasty valued literature over martial arts, the status of literati was very high, and everyone was keen on scientific examinations.
The top three will be given the title of "Jinshi and Di". The first one will be called the number one scholar, and can usually get a seventh-rank official position. As long as the evaluation is good, it can be promoted to the fourth or fifth rank in a few years. Lu Mengzheng, a famous prime minister, was 12 years old. From a humble family, he became the prime minister of the dynasty.
The second place will be ranked second, the third place will be ranked third; the top two will be given the title of "born as a Jinshi"; the top three will be given the title of "same as a Jinshi". Generally, you can get an official position of eighth or ninth grade, and have a great chance to enter the Hanlin Academy to participate in political affairs.
"Brother, where are we going? We have to leave the inner city."
Hua Rong looked at Sun Lei and asked. They had already traveled through most of Tokyo.
"Exit Baokangmen and go to Zhuangyuan Tower!"
Sun Lei said with a smile.
"Zhuangyuan Building?"
Everyone who came to Tokyo for the first time was full of surprise.
"I am a candidate coming to Beijing to take the exam this time, so naturally I have to live in the Zhuangyuan Building."
Sun Lei laughed and said, the reason why Zhuangyuan Building dares to be called so is not only because of the number of number one scholars, but also because of its geographical location. Zhuangyuan Building is close to the Cai River, and across the river are the Imperial College and the Imperial College. The towers in the Zhuangyuan Building can even Looking at the Imperial College, the examination room for the general examination is inside the Imperial College.
After leaving Baokang Gate, you will see a magnificent building with pavilions and pavilions scattered throughout it.
"Zhuangyuan Building!"
Sun Lei pointed at the huge gold-lettered signboard and smiled. There were many young students coming in and out of the door, and there was laughter inside and outside the building.
"Does this young man want to stay in a hotel?"
When the boy at the door saw Sun Lei dressed in luxurious clothes and accompanied by a large entourage, he immediately went to greet him.
"Tianzi No. 5 Courtyard!"
Shi Qian smiled and took out a sign and threw it over. The Zhuangyuan Building was the inn where candidates all over the world wanted to stay during the joint examination. This room had to be reserved months in advance.
"It turns out to be Mr. Tianzihao, please come in quickly!"
When the boy saw the sign with the number 5 on that day, he immediately bowed and led the way.
"I know where the guy robbed the No. 5 courtyard of that day! If you are wise, please give up the courtyard, otherwise you will be able to see it."
Just when Sun Lei was about to enter the inn, a piercing voice sounded.
Sun Lei looked up and saw a frivolous young man with a drunken look on his face blocking the door with someone.
"Where can a fly dare to cross my path?"
Sun Lei raised his eyebrows and looked at the young man and said disdainfully.
"How brave, this is the first time someone dares to speak to me, Ruzhou Li Cong, in such a loud voice!"
The young man held the paper fan in one hand and said with a ferocious expression.
"Ruzhou Li Cong? What is it?"
Sun Lei took out his ears and asked the people around him.
Everyone around him was naturally shaking his head. Who would know about Ruzhou Li Cong if they were all in Liangshanbo?
"This young master, the Li family in Ruzhou specializes in firing official kilns. The Ru kilns that have been sent as tribute in the past few years are all made by their family!"
The boy whispered quickly.
"Ru kiln?"
Sun Lei sounded familiar.
"Brother, Ru Kiln is the first among the five famous porcelains. The ranking order is Henan Ru Kiln, Henan Jun Kiln, Hebei Ding Kiln, Jiangsu Guan Kiln, and Zhejiang Ge Kiln."
Wen Huanzhang said beside Sun Lei.
"It turned out to be a kiln burner. How can a kiln burner be able to show off?"
Sun Lei looked at Li Cong and asked.
"You dare to insult my Runan Li family! Beat me!"
Li Cong was furious and waved his hand to let several strong men behind him step forward to attack.
"Fighting? I like it!"
Sun Lei laughed. Behind him, Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, and Sun An took two steps forward. One in each hand, they picked up the six strong men sent by Li Cong like chickens, and threw them to the street with a casual throw. After several laps, he stopped, wailing and unable to stand up.
"That's it?"
Sun Lei looked at Li Cong and said.
"Do you have any more powerful guards? You kiln burners can't do that!"
Sun Lei took two steps forward and said, so frightened that Li Cong backed away repeatedly, not daring to say a word. These six guards were martial arts masters raised by his family. Each one of them usually claimed to be brave enough to be worthy of ten thousand men. Who knows? I can't even get through it.
"You don't have any skills but you still want to imitate others and pretend to be cool? Do you know what it means to pretend to be cool and get struck by lightning?"
Sun Lei slapped Li Cong on the shoulder. He also practiced martial arts on weekdays. This hand was very strong. With one slap, Li Cong screamed and collapsed on the ground.
"Help! Help!"
Li Cong looked at the inn in horror and asked for help.
(End of chapter)
