Deer Ming Banquet It was a crisp autumn day, with a gentle wind and a beautiful sun.
In front of the Sanjian Hall of the Imperial College, people in green shirts and green gowns are now coming in and out. When they meet, everyone bows to each other and gets to know each other.
Musicians on the roadside were sitting on the seats and playing, and the tunes were all lively and lively, adding a bit of joy to the deer-crowing feast.
The faces of the Jiezis were even more joyful and proud. As for Jiezi, who went to the Luming Banquet for the first time, he was in high spirits. He walked with his back straight. On this day, he finally let go of the depression of ten years of hard work. Of course, the real success will have to wait until the provincial examination.
But this doesn't bother them at all.
Zhang Yue walked briskly, and Huang Lu followed beside him. He met people who knew him well along the way. Regardless of whether he knew them or not, it was right to bow first. As the saying goes, it is not strange to be polite to many people.
Back then, I heard the senior fellows in Taixue talk about how beautiful the Deer Ming Banquet and the Qionglin Banquet were, and how I had met and had drinks with a certain big shot. Now that it happened to me, the excitement I felt was really indescribable.
No matter how fanciful others say it is, it is true only when you experience it yourself.
Zhang Yue saw the courtesy one by one, and his hands were sore before he came to the front of Sanjian Hall.
But I saw the red candles in Sanjian Hall were shining high, and the hall was filled with gifts for Jiezi, such as folded green robes (a robe with a white upper section and a green lower section).
Strings of cash were placed on a plate and placed high in the hall.
There are also bundles of rabbit-hair pens in piles and piles of paper folded into hills. As for drinks and food, they are placed on each table.
This fee was paid by the Imperial College, and some virtuous people also sponsored it.
The size of this gift depends on the financial resources of each state.
For example, if Kaifeng Mansion is the strongest, give more, otherwise it will be under the emperor's control.
Other state capitals will not mistreat the Xiezi who go to Beijing, and they have to pay enough for their expenses. Giving young people will make these noble people hold grudges in the future. As for the Imperial College, which had no financial resources and relied on full funding from the imperial court for its income, it was undoubtedly the most miserable.
But something is better than nothing. Seeing these gifts and the food and wine at the banquet, Zhang Yue couldn't help but be satisfied. What is the Deer Ming Banquet?
Lu Ming's preface to Mao's poems all said that "it is necessary to eat and drink, and also to use silk baskets and baskets to convey the kindness." '
To put it bluntly, it means eating and taking.
The ancients were not pedantic, but also very practical.
There is another name for this, it is called "Zaisong".
Before entering Sanjiantang, each Jiezi must sign in on the book, write his name and place of origin, and a list of pre-banquets will be engraved afterwards, which is called a small record.
Different places also have different names. Some are called "Qiji Xiaolu", "Xiangyin Xiaolu", "Tongshe Xiaolu" and so on.
Afterwards, Xie Zi just went to the bookstore and spent money to buy a copy. Don't be stingy with the money. In the future, if you ask for help or make connections, you will rely on this short record.
Of course, the provincial examination's "Jinshi Xiaolu" is even more awesome among the best.
However, according to this small record, among the six hundred explanations, one hundred people will be Jinshi in one subject's provincial examination, fifteen will be in various subjects, and ten will be Ming Jing.
As for the Kaifeng Prefecture next door, Jiezi is even more impressive, producing 210 Jinshi and 160 people from various subjects.
Finally, the candidates from all over the country were put together, and there were only 200 Jinshi. The number of people in various subjects and Mingjing was slightly more, but it did not exceed the number of Jinshi.
In other words, 125 of the 600 people in this book will stand out in the provincial examination. As for those who fail, it doesn't matter, they will still have opportunities in the future.
Many of the students present were busy thanking the examiners, greeting the officials of the Imperial College, or chatting with each other to see if there was anything they could learn from in the future.
Zhang Yue looked around for a while, only to find Guo Lin standing alone and helpless, obviously not knowing how to socialize at all.
This is the natural disadvantage of children from poor families.
Zhang Yue couldn't help but snicker, then walked up to Guo Lin from behind and patted him heavily on the shoulder.
Guo Lin was obviously startled by Zhang Yue's move. When he turned around and saw that it was the other party, he couldn't help but feel relieved. He scratched his head and said, "Junior brother, you are teasing me again."
Zhang Yue laughed and said, "Senior brother, you are too stupid. Why don't you go visit the examiners?"
Guo Lin said: "I just paid a visit with some classmates, and now I don't know what to do..."
Guo Lin smiled sheepishly.
"Sanlang, it's time to pay a visit to the examiner." Huang Lu reminded.
Zhang Yue said: "I don't care, senior brother, please wait for me for a while. I will introduce my classmates to you."
"OK."
Zhang Yue immediately lined up with Huang Lu, and after waiting for Xie Zi in front to meet him, it was finally Zhang Yue's turn.
The student on the side immediately straightened his back and praised loudly with all his strength: "Zhang Yue enters the third place in the Imperial College Examination."
Hearing the student proclaim this loudly, the buzz in the hall suddenly subsided by half.
The people on the left and right are all looking here.
Ranked third in the Jinshi Division, what a powerful person! What does it look like?
But I saw a young man wearing a white t-shirt calmly walking up to the three examiners and bowing.
"It's so wonderful to have such a good young life."
"So that you can know that these three-character poems, heart-attacking couplets, and the Sapphire Case were all written by Zhang Duzhi."
"It's him, no wonder, no wonder."
"Not only that, the emperor also gave him a third-generation background, but he resigned."
"You are so impressive at such a young age, you look like a dragon or a phoenix at first glance."
"At such an age, I wonder if you are married?"
Zhang Yue couldn't help feeling relieved as he listened to the comments from others.
Sure enough, Zhang Heng was right. I feel that after success, I am not only more confident and see things more clearly, but it also greatly improves my appearance. Not only does I walk with style, but I also seem to be more handsome than before.
Chen Zhu, Sima Guang, and Yang Hui all looked at Zhang Yue with friendly expressions on their faces.
He is young and talented, and he is an extraordinary student. Who doesn't like him?
It's the deer-crowing banquet now, and it's not the time for the interview, so there's no need for the three examiners to hold it up, they all have smiles on their faces.
As for Zhang Yue, he was wondering why another examiner, Li Dalin, did not appear here. Normally, neither Jie Zi nor the examiner could be absent from the Luming Banquet.
Because the Lu Ming Banquet also has an implicit function, that is, to identify solutions for "imposters".
He is not a Tai student, but he pretends to be one.
At this time Chen Zhu spoke.
"Zhang Duzhi, a young man from my hometown, I have heard of your name a long time ago," Chen Zhu said to the two examiners on the left and right with a smile on his face, "That day when I was doing something in the political hall, I heard the Prime Minister Fu say that young people are to be feared, and I couldn't help but Asked where he was born."
Everyone was in awe when they heard Fu Bi's name.
Han Qi and Fu Bi were highly regarded by the people. When scholars mentioned them, they looked solemn and did not dare to make any comments or be disrespectful.
Chen Zhu smiled and said: "Ms. Fu told us that there is a young man named Zhang Duzhi in your hometown. He said bluntly that I have been in power for five years. The world does not hear the name of generosity and fierceness, but every day I hear the voice of honesty. I blame me." There’s nothing wrong with that.”
After hearing what Chen Zhu said, Zhang Yue was almost intimidated by the crowd. He was so courageous that even Prime Minister Zhao Wen dared to criticize him. After the final criticism, he was praised as being "terrible".
This comment is almost comparable to Ouyang Xiu's praise of Su Shi, "give way to one end."
Zhang Yue said: "Students are arrogant for a while and don't know how high the sky is. It's because the rich prime minister doesn't care about the students."
Chen Zhu did not blame Zhang Yue for rashly criticizing the prime minister at all, but smiled and said: "The prime minister, the rich prime minister, can support the boat. The younger generation is a bit arrogant. He will not care. He also wants to see you in the palace examination." article, don’t let Mr. Fu down when the time comes.”
Hearing this, everyone thought that Zhang Yue could be appreciated by Fu Bi, which is more meaningful than finishing third in the test.
Several examiners laughed. Chen Zhu looked at Zhang Yue very kindly, and obviously didn't care that he didn't use the word '耑' in the exam.
“Students remember.”
Zhang Yue greeted Sima Guang again, but Sima Guang looked calm and peaceful.
Looking at such a solemn and solemn Confucian style in the past, it is difficult not to feel admiration and admiration. However, who knows that the other party will become the biggest obstacle to Wang Anshi's reform in the future.
Because of later generations, Zhang Yue actually never had a good impression of Sima Guang.
Sima Guang put his hands behind his hands and said: "Both examiners agreed that Du's articles are good and his Confucian studies are better, but I think it's better if your Confucian studies are good. However, we still have to go back to the past to revive the present, and the classic meanings should be simplified." To make a point, if you just add one sentence of your own opinion, you will be missing a thousand miles if you are wrong."
Zhang Yue would not refute. Sima Guang's words were purely a kind reminder, supported by his own point of view, not a lecturing tone.
“Students remember.”
It was Yang Hui's turn next, and the other party smiled and said: "I heard that Du Zhi was originally a Zhusheng, and it took only two and a half years to reach Jinshi. It is really impressive to have such an achievement."
"I observe that every sentence in your article has an ancient meaning. It can be said that it is more profound than the Nine Classics, and it is reflected in the article. This is enough to make many readers today who underestimate the meaning of the classics and value the articles think twice. Without the merit of the classic meaning, writing Most of the articles published are flashy and tasteless.”
This sentence made many candidates present a great gain, and they all said they were taught.
Zhang Yue immediately stepped back from the three examiners. Everyone saw that the three examiners had given Zhang Yue high hats, and they were really envious. Is this the glory of being ranked third in the examination?
Later Zhang Yue introduced Huang Lu to Guo Lin.
Although the two had passed the exam at the same time, they did not chat seriously. This time, after Zhang Yue's solemn introduction, the two chatted particularly well.
Next, the deer roaring banquet begins.
The Deer Ming Banquet was passed down from the drinking ritual of Zhongxiang in Zhou Rites.
Among the Zhou rites, the functions of drinking in rural rites are: firstly, the township officials recommend talented people once every three years; secondly, banquets for talented people in the country; thirdly, local officials drink wine during rituals; fourthly, they drink during party ceremonies.
Now he is Bin Xianneng.
In addition, there is also the "Shang Chi". In ancient rituals, the oldest person must take the seat, rather than ranking according to the official position.
Therefore, in addition to the officials, a senior monk from the Daxiangguo Temple was also invited to be the top seat.
Later generations will be a little confused about this operation, but in officialdom it is perfectly normal.
Together, these are the ancient system of respecting the elderly and the virtuous. In the words of the Song Dynasty, it is "using old rules to encourage good customs".
At this time, the music inside and outside the hall played together. The songs for the Deer Ming Banquet were "Lu Ming", "Four Mu", and "Huang Huangzhe Hua". Later generations took the first song "Lu Ming" to refer to the Deer Ming Banquet. .
The meaning of reciprocity between the guest and the host is all in it, and it also has the meaning of grace and purity, and also has a hint of prosperity.
Zhang Yue, Guo Lin, Huang Lu and others sang together.
The emperor is beautiful, and he is in the original glory.
When you go to conquer your husband, you will reach out every time you are pregnant.
My horse is as strong as a foal, and its six bridles are as wet as wet.
Zai Chi Zai drives, Zhou Yuan consults Su. "
…
This song "The Emperor's Flowers" comes from the Book of Songs. The line "The Emperor's Flowers, Yuan Xi" tells the glorious scene of the distant past. The whole article is written about an envoy who is on a mission for the country, doing his best for the country, and seems to be far away. Get a glimpse of the prosperous age of the Zhou Dynasty that Confucians have always praised.
When singing songs, the whole class was enjoying themselves. The meaning of the saying "gentleness and kindness is the teaching of poetry" is also here.
After the song is finished, follow the ancient etiquette.
There are twelve procedures in order: acknowledging guests, preface guests, offering wine, presenting guests, guest rewards, host rewards, introducing guests, repairing the title without planning, washing, raising wine, paying homage, and paying homage. Among them, There are also nine restraints.
Anyway, in the eyes of outsiders, it is just a series of red tape. In the past, senior brothers would come back from the Luming Banquet without complaining.
But vomiting is still vomiting, and it should be carried out.
In the Zhou Dynasty, governors, Dangzheng and other local officials used these red tapes to evaluate Bin Xian's demeanor and ability during the village ceremony and drinking ceremony, and finally achieved the purpose of selecting talents.
Such standards for selecting talents are of course very unreliable.
But when it comes to the criteria for selecting talents, it has not always been so mysterious from ancient times to the present.
For example, if a young man pays homage to a Shangguan and says the wrong thing and performs the wrong courtesy as soon as they meet, the Shangguan will have a bad impression of the young man and will not have any intention of further investigation.
The superiors do not have time to conduct detailed inspections of young people, and usually make a conclusion through one meeting. As for more people, they can't even get the chance to meet.
Speaking of which, the imperial examinations in the Song Dynasty are indeed more scientific than the Zhou rites and rural rites for drinking, but more importantly, setting a standard in the name of being fairer is equivalent to putting the power of selecting talents in the hands of the imperial court, not the hands of the township officials. .
As the examiner, Chen Zhu served as the examiner at the Deer Ming Banquet and gave a speech in front of the audience: "Today's Deer Ming Banquet is not just about food and drink. All of us, young and old, encourage each other to be loyal to the country and filial to our relatives..."
The rest are words of exhortation.
Zhang Yue has heard such words many times, but most of them did not listen carefully. However, if you listen carefully to such speeches, you can hear a lot of tricks.
For example, this sentence "loyalty to the country, filial piety to relatives". The first thing that scholars read when reading the Bible is the Filial Piety Classic. They need to learn filial piety. This is knowledge learned in cultural education and school.
This loyalty to the country is politics and religion.
The general meaning of this is that after the Luming Banquet, some of you will move from students to working jobs. You must be filial to your relatives at home and loyal to your emperor at home.
Scholars can easily accept this, because politics and religion are also subtly embedded in learning and teaching.
The following is the dedication speech of Lu Zhi from the Imperial College.
Lu Zhisheng didn't have so many routines in his speech, but he spoke in a serious and thoughtful way, containing many exhortations and trivial advice.
At this moment, Zhang Yue felt as if he was listening to the graduation speech of the old principal.
In the past three years of study and life at Taixue, time has flown by in the blink of an eye.
The tall locust trees in Taixue, the lush bamboo forests, the crowded and lively dining halls, the tension during public and private examinations and the joy and sorrow after the examinations, the drums that rush to wake people up every day, no matter how disgusted they are in the mouth, but in the end The place you will eventually leave.
Many feelings gathered in my heart.
No matter whether it rains in spring or snows in winter, I am studying hard in the furnace pavilion. Suddenly it rains heavily, but I have to rush to Chonghua Hall to listen to the lecture.
In the words of many seniors, looking back on this period of time, it was the most carefree time in life. The worries will only increase in the days to come.
However, the goshawk will eventually flap its wings and fight against the sky!
Men should strengthen themselves.
Some will fall to the earth, and some will soar straight into the sky.
From pretentiousness to recognition of mediocrity, this is the trajectory of most people's lives. But some people will eventually go from ordinary to extraordinary.
Others were unaware, but Zhang Yue remembered what was on his mind.
