Entering February, the spring is warm and the snow is melting, and the mountains are ushering in a good season.
Zhang Yue and Guo Lin are both studying in an orderly manner and preparing for the county school entrance examination.
Before taking the exam, they have to write ten official papers.
Xingjuan is an imperial examination culture since the Tang Dynasty. Scholars should present their favorite poems to the examiner before the exam to make them look familiar.
Sending a few more articles after a few days is called a warm volume.
In the Song Dynasty, there was a system of blurring names. At first, apart from the provincial examinations where the names were obscured, the interpretation examinations were not anonymous. After the Tiansheng Year, even the interpretation examinations were anonymous. Only in this way did the atmosphere of the imperial examinations improve a lot. People no longer competed to write the papers and tried to find a way. Joints, for scholars from poor families, have gradually become fair.
The name remains anonymous only until the first level of the county school entrance examination, but the name remains anonymous. However, the trend of imperial examinations has changed, and some people feel that there is no need to spend so much time on it. But that’s not the case. You still have to vote for that line, so at least it looks like I understand the rules.
Speaking of taking exams, the habit of reviewing exams was regarded as a backdoor problem in the Tang Dynasty. Otherwise, the Song Dynasty would not have had a name-blinding system. But having said that, all candidates can pass exams, but you can't, then... You are sick.
In the county examination, the final admission decision or not depends on the examiner's whim.
According to Guo Xuexiu, the county school admission examination said that there were five people from Jinshizhai and ten people from Jingshengzhai, but there must have been candidates who passed the exam, and the examination was just a formality.
And they have to compete with the remaining people for the final spot.
If the written essay can be appreciated by the county magistrate, he can be qualified for the general examination first. If not, he still has to go back to the examination.
Then here comes the problem.
Candidates in the Jinshi Department can send poems and essays that they are proud of, but what should candidates in the Jinshi Department who only rely on rote memorization do? Writing annotations on the classics at home and sending them to the examiner, saying that I wrote them from memory at home, is there any difference between taking off my pants and farting.
But in the end there was still a way, so write 'righteousness'.
During the Qingli period, Fan Zhongyan carried out the imperial examination reform, which included additional examination content for candidates in various subjects, and the final test required ten "righteousness" tests. It was not until the failure of Fan Zhongyan's reform that Dayi was abolished in recent examinations.
The meaning of "big meaning" refers to the meaning of "little words and meaning", that is, the examiner extracts a few sentences of the meaning of the classics, and then asks the candidates to respond with commentary on the classics, and then embellishes and invents them with words.
This is actually somewhat similar to the study of chapters and sentences. Compared with the eight-part essay of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it is just that there are no format constraints.
Guo Xuexue asked Guo Lin and Zhang Yue to write ten "great principles" and submit them to the county magistrate within ten days.
Guo Lin was very serious about writing about "great righteousness". Scholars all have this idea. Writing a shocking article would be a blockbuster. The empress of Luoyang Zhigui was appreciated by the nobles, and she rose to prominence from then on.
Guo Linzi is no exception. Judging from his serious attitude, he seems to be integrating all his years of study into these "great meanings".
As for Zhang Yue, he has little interest. This is mainly due to later generations' prejudice against the Eight-legged essay, which makes him really not interested in the Eight-part essay. Moreover, there is really little chance of speculating through bank rolls. Some people still read poetry and prose, but no one really looked at Dayi in the Song Dynasty.
The most important thing is that Zhang Yue has another way. If I hadn't heard that the Pucheng County Magistrate is still somewhat upright and has a good official reputation, Zhang Yue would have been focusing on using the back door.
Guo Lin had no other connections, so he put all his hope in the traveling scroll.
Although Zhang Yue thought so in his heart, he still wrote down the ten principles. After all, the process still has to go through.
After you finish writing, you must submit the paper.
Normally, you have to go to the county seat. However, Guo Xuexiu had already found out that in a few days the county magistrate would come to Chenwu Village, not far from Wuxi, to inspect the mulberry trees. At that time, they could go and write the papers in person. This would be better than sending them to the county government office without even being able to see each other. much better.
For this reason, Guo Xuexiu asked the village elders to inquire about the county magistrate's whereabouts. After asking several times, he finally determined the date and itinerary.
Just three days later.
It was dark that day, and the master's wife got up to cook for Zhang Yue and Guo Lin.
After the two of them had a half-full meal of vegetable soup, they went out under the stars. As for the papers to be written, they were placed in the paper bag and placed close to them.
Before leaving, Guo Xuexu told them to find Li Zheng when they arrived at Chenwu Village. He had already taken care of everything.
When Zhang Yue and Guo Lin arrived at Chenwu Village before midnight, they expected to see a welcome and farewell scene with a loess paved road and the sound of golden drums. However, they saw nothing, not even a bird.
Guo Lin found an old farmer and asked: "Old man, I heard that you are coming to the countryside for inspection today. I wonder when you will come?"
Guo Lin didn't ask. It was okay. When he asked, the old farmer immediately cursed: "I don't know some thief who robbed the king on the way..."
"ah?"
Zhang Yue thought to himself, is this Water Margin?
The old farmer spoke vaguely, and it took them a long time to understand the reason.
It turns out that the county magistrate did come to inspect Chenwu Village today. He was about to arrive, but it turned out that most of the people from the former village had to cross a bridge to go to Chenwu Village. It was unloaded last night. Today, the county magistrate informed him that he would not inspect this place. He changed it. Went in front village.
"Who is so arrogant and unreasonable? Using such despicable means?"
"Who else could it be? It's the Miao member who regards wealth as his life, oh my god!" the old farmer cursed.
Zhang Yue and Guo Lin looked at each other, as if they had never met each other in their lives.
"Why would Miao Yuanwai rather offend someone in a village than intercept your order at his place!"
"How do I know?"
Zhang Yue asked: "Okay, old man, tell me how to get to Qiancundang?"
The old farmer said: "The bridge has been dug up, so we have to go around for two hours."
Guo Lin and Zhang Yue looked at each other, what should we do? You have to go around too.
So Guo Lin and Zhang Yue set out to cross mountains and rivers to the village outside the Miao Yuan.
There are many places on the road where you have to wade through water. Not to mention the cold water, you have to be careful to wet the roll bag. Zhang Yue was exhausted from walking all the way, and he also wanted to sincerely greet his wife, the Miao member.
The two finally arrived at the place just after noon. This time they really got up early to catch the late market.
There is a road at the entrance of the village that leads directly to the county seat. It is covered with loess. There are two rows of mulberry trees on the left and right of the road. A caravan with two wheels and two shafts covered with a curtain is parked on the road at the entrance of the village.
Apparently the county magistrate has entered the village.
There were still a few tall and thick men standing at the entrance of the village, blocking them and saying, "There are noble people in the village today. You and other irrelevant people should get out of here quickly."
Guo Lin stepped forward and said, "I'm here to pay homage to your Majesty."
"Oh? Who are you? Why do you come to see your Majesty?" The leader looked Guo Lin up and down, and the octopus looked a little unkind.
Zhang Yue was about to tell Guo Lin not to tell him directly. Can you handle it directly? These few villagers did not dare to stop the scholar.
But Guo Lin said honestly: "We have several papers to submit to your Majesty for your review."
Several people looked surprised, and the man said: "Your Majesty is tired. It is not convenient to see guests today, so you should go back!"
Guo Lin said anxiously: "How can this be done? We have come all this way just to see you."
"I'm sorry, we are ordered not to let strangers into the village."
Guo Lin was so anxious that he almost cried. He had been writing papers for several days. If he could not hand them over to the county magistrate in advance, all his years of hard work would have been in vain.
"No, I have to go in today...even if I crawl, I will crawl in."
Hearing what Guo Lin said, several villagers were on guard as if facing a formidable enemy.
Zhang Yue looked at the village at this moment, but suddenly waved his hand and said: "Sanniang...Sanniang...here..."
Guo Lin heard what Zhang Yue said and followed his gaze. He suddenly turned away with a big blush and said, "Junior brother, let's come back another day..."
Zhang Yue: "???"
"Senior brother! Look at me!" Zhang Yue hugged Guo Lin's waist hard and pulled him back like a tug of war.
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother Zhang, what are you doing here?"
The moment Guo Lin heard Miao Sanniang's voice, he immediately stopped struggling, and his whole body seemed to have been drained of energy.
Zhang Yue supported Guo Lin and reluctantly smiled at Miao Sanniang and said: "Junior sister, we haven't seen you for a long time. We want to meet with your order. These people are unwilling. Senior brother insists on breaking in. Why don't I hold him back?"
"That's it!" Miao Sanniang suddenly smiled, "They are my classmates, not outsiders, let them in!"
"Yes, Sanniang." Several people immediately stepped aside.
"come in."
Miao Sanniang immediately led the way, followed by Zhang Yue and Guo Lin.
"Junior sister, why don't they let us in?"
Miao Sanniang smiled and said, "This is what dad meant. He went to great lengths to invite Ling Jun here today just to let my incompetent brother study in the county."
"That's it." Zhang Yue understood immediately.
Guo Lin hurriedly said: "Sanniang, if we go in like this, will it disturb you?"
Zhang Yue turned his head and glanced at Guo Lin, full of contempt.
Miao Sanniang smiled and said, "Why don't you bother me? Don't I know my brother's ability to study? He hasn't been as good as me since he was a child."
"My father heard a fortune teller say a few days ago that my brother will have great luck in the next two years, so he believed it."
Guo Lin and Zhang Yue both laughed when they heard this.
Zhang Yue thought to himself that if Miao Yuanwai really had connections with the county magistrate, he would not resort to such ruthless means as digging up the bridge.
Miao Sanniang said: "My father and your lord have had dinner at the ancestral hall now. You guys are waiting outside the ancestral hall door and hand over the papers when your lord comes."
"Are you calling me a member of the Prophet?"
Miao Sanniang laughed and said: "Elder brother, you are really an honest person. With my father's temperament, will he be willing?"
Guo Lin lowered his head and said, "Sanniang, you don't have to worry about offending your father and brother to help me and my junior brother, right?"
"No, just to vent my anger. Daddy has never looked at me seriously." Miao Sanniang clenched her hands and said.
Guo Lin and Zhang Yue were waiting at the entrance of the ancestral hall. At this time, some villagers saw that something was wrong and wanted to persuade these two people to leave. But I thought the county magistrate was inside and Miao Sanniang was nearby, so I didn't dare to make any mistakes.
At this time, the county magistrate had slowly walked out of the ancestral hall.
It seemed that the county magistrate was only about 30 people. He was chatting with Miao Dalang in front of the Miao members, and he was walking as if strolling in the courtyard.
Just now during the banquet, he had already noticed that this Miao family man was not a scholar. He asked a few questions and flew to nowhere. Fortunately, his close associates answered the questions, and the situation had already become very embarrassing.
But the reason why he is very enthusiastic about Miao members is because Miao members are willing to donate. There is no way, the government minister does not have enough money, and the job subsidy is only so much.
When he was a scholar, he could not stand such frivolous behavior, but in the position of county magistrate, everything was difficult, so sometimes he had to bend down to pick up money.
After debating for a while, the magistrate walked out of the ancestral hall and saw two young people waiting there.
