Promotion in officialdom is not easy.
This is especially true in the Song Dynasty, when official redundancy was extremely serious.
In the Song Dynasty, official positions belonged to officials, and duties and dispatches were separated.
Officials are also called official officials, which determine your treatment, such as first-grade, second-grade, and third-grade official titles, and who is selected for promotion to the imperial court?
Zhang Yue, the judge of Dali Temple, was sent to the official position.
Zhang Yue's nephew, Zhang Heng, was appointed as a supervisor in the second year of Jiayou's second year by a craftsman, and was appointed as a judge of Dali Temple in the second and third place. Wang Anshi got fourth place in the examination, and the official who sent him the salary was also a judge in Dali Temple.
Therefore, Zhang Yue replaced the craftsman who had won the first prize four years ago as the eunuch, and he could be promoted from a Beijing official to a court official in one move.
Unfortunately, starting from the fourth year of Jiayou's reign, the problem of redundant officials became so serious that even the Jinshi who were disciples of the emperor had their salaries reduced by one notch.
Therefore, the official who served as the number one scholar in Zhangyue was demoted from being a craftsman to serving as a supervisor and was demoted to Dali Temple to judge affairs.
Dali Temple's evaluation is the ninth grade.
The dispatch is to sign the official affairs of Chuzhou Magistrate's Office, which is also called signing.
The number one scholar usually serves as the judge of the Jiedushi Prefecture, but Chuzhou is a defensive envoy prefecture, and there is no shortage of Jiedushi envoys in other prefectures other than Huainan Road. Only the defense envoy Chuzhou is vacant. In order to give Zhang Yue to the care of his father-in-law, Ouyang Xiu decided to Forcibly downgraded him.
However, it doesn't matter whether you are sent to a high or low position. It is important to send a salary officer. Where to go as a errand is a matter of high and low allocation.
The so-called signing refers to serving as a judge as a Beijing official, which is called signing. There is no signature when selecting people to serve as judges.
The appointment letter was already being drafted. Ouyang Fa saw Zhang Yue and said with a smile: "According to the ancestral story, the number one scholar and the academician will return as soon as they are appointed, and they will definitely enter the palace. I would like to congratulate you first."
Zhang Yue was surprised when he heard this and asked: "Don't you still need to be recommended by officials to try for the library position?"
Ouyang laughed and said: "Exactly, exactly. It's just a formality. The number one winner will definitely enter the hall."
After working locally for two years, he could take up a post in Beijing after returning to Beijing. Zhang Yue was full of expectations when he thought about it. He asked Huang Lu if he could take up any post.
Ouyang Fa said: "I didn't ask, but it should be for the title of county magistrate."
Zhang Yue thought that Zhang Dun, his second brother, was also the fifth Jinshi and was now trying for the title of magistrate of Shangluo County.
The four levels of selection are: two envoys, junior officers, Ling Lu, and Judges.
The rank of magistrate and county magistrate is on the same level as that of magistrate and military officer, and higher than the rank of "judge officer" who was born as a Jinshi in the second, third or fourth grade.
After the title of county magistrate is returned, you can move to two envoy positions. However, if you want to be a capital official, you must go through two terms and six tests just like selecting a person.
You have to wait six years to take the Sixth Examination. Even if Zhang Dun can become a capital official or even enter the imperial court after six years, Zhang Yue's current official position is above the title of county magistrate, let alone two years later.
It still feels pretty cool to think about it.
After two years of admission, the rest will still have to hang out in the "Judge and Book Lieutenant" class in the same year.
Nowadays, the Gongyuan of the Ministry of Rites has already sent the list of newly qualified Jinshi to Nancao of the Ministry of official affairs. After Nancao's review, it turned out that Liu Neiquan of the Ministry of official affairs originally wanted to judge the Jinshi in three ways. This was the test of the Tang Dynasty.
Official selection is determined based on test results.
However, after the Taiping and the rejuvenation of the country, the customs examination was cancelled, and it was completely scheduled according to the academic level.
After the death of Ke Jiading, the only thing that the Jinshi could do was the difference in the place of their post. In the official department, Neiquan, those with connections in Nancao wanted to pick and choose in various ways.
A Jinshi with no means is like watching others finish their banquet before he can eat some leftovers at the table. And you can’t lose your temper. Even if you are embarrassed, you have to finish it, and finally you can reluctantly go to the table to eat.
If you are assigned to take up a post in a smoky place, there is basically no difference between an older person and someone going to die.
As for the top five Jinshi candidates, I'm sorry, but you have to wait until the next banquet.
On April 20th, I heard about the wedding banquet.
According to reports, more than a month has passed since the roll call was given.
I heard that the wedding banquet was held in Qionglin Garden, so it was called Qionglin Banquet.
The Qionglin banquet was divided into two days, one for Jinshi and the other for all subjects.
Jinshi entertained the prime minister at a banquet, and invited officials from two provinces to attend.
At the beginning of the banquet, the banquet officer, Zhang Yue and other Jinshi entered from the main entrance.
After a month, Zhang Yue's demeanor and the day he was awarded the title had changed somewhat, especially after he knew that he would be appointed to the capital.
In the past, I didn't pay much attention to the meaning that my official position brought to me, but now I really feel it.
I heard that a wedding banquet has its own set of red tape.
The official's health is not very good and he cannot attend the wedding banquet in person as before.
Somewhat regretful.
The official family did not arrive and they were not awarded the first prize in poetry.
Last year, Liu Hui, the number one scholar, received a poem from the official at the wedding banquet: "In order to govern the world, talent is important, and in the public dynasty, the school art is excellent." Linxuan was promoted to a scholar, and he became a hero. They also climbed up the steep cloud ladders, and jointly ascended the throne of Guangxi. Protect the people and think about good governance, be kind and considerate. '
Zhang Yue got nothing, which made some people secretly happy.
He laughed at Zhang Yue for spending so much time on the regular collection, and laughed at him for spending money to subsidize the regular collection expenses, but in the end he failed to please the officials, and it was all in vain. .
Not even a single poem was given.
If Ouyang Xiu had not given Zhang Yue a message before, Zhang Yue would have almost thought that the flattery was not done well.
But now that I think about it, the officials did this to prevent themselves from making enemies.
The people who receive the most generous compliments in person are not the ones who want to be cultivated. The emperor's heart is unpredictable.
The first two champions, Zhang Heng and Liu Hui, were both highly regarded by officials and received poems, but their official careers were not smooth.
After three rounds of wine, the emperor gave flowers.
Zhang Yue and other Jinshi all wore hairpins in their hair. This time, in full view of everyone, Zhang Yue did not refuse.
After the ceremony, all the Jinshi toasted to the officials.
Han Qi, Zeng Gongliang, Wang Gui, Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, etc. were all present.
Han Qi and Zeng Gongliang were chatting with several officials, and Zhang Yue took the initiative to meet them.
When Han Qi saw Zhang Yue, he didn't immediately pay attention. Instead, he finished talking to the official next to him and then looked over.
There were no officials present today, so Han Qi was the most respected person at the wedding banquet. Zhang Yue saw something meaningful in the way Han Qi looked at him.
To be precise, this is a first-class aura. It can be said that it is condescending, but it is more appropriate to say that it is not angry and self-defeating. Anyway, it's like when a person sees a tiger, even if it has no intention of attacking, its instinct will be to be frightened.
This feeling can only be felt but cannot be expressed in words.
Zhang Yue saluted.
Han Qi said: "Master Zhuangyuan, it is up to you to write the note of thanks given to the Holy Emperor at the banquet. Don't let down the official's promotion."
Zhang Yue said yes.
Han Qi nodded and smiled at Zeng Gongliang: "The number one scholar has obtained the true biography of Mr. Boyi's seal script. In this world, except for Mr. Boyi, his seal script can be said to be unique in the world."
Zeng Gongliang smiled and said to Zhang Yue: "I have admired Mr. Boyi's name for a long time. In Beijing, his seal scripts are worth every inch of gold. If the number one scholar has calligraphy treasures, you might as well send a few to me."
Zhang Yue was flattered and agreed.
He still remembered that the first time he met Han Qi was in the Imperial College, and the other party scolded him for being a disciple of Zhang Youzhi. But now that he mentioned this matter again, he took the initiative to make amends with himself.
Times have changed, and Zhang Yue still cares about what happened at the beginning. He and his son Han Zhongyan are now good friends.
Soon Zhang Yue, Han Qi, and Zeng Gongliang were laughing and talking, which caught the eyes of many people.
Zhang Yue said a few words to the two prime ministers, then turned to salute Wang Gui solemnly. Wang Gui was the examiner during his provincial examination. Although the court did not allow teachers and students to be equal, Zhang Yue had to emphasize his gratitude.
So Zhang Yue wrote a poem on the spot (written last night) and gave it to Wang Gui to express his gratitude.
There is a line in the poem that says, "Peach and plum blossoms fill the garden with fragrance." Of course Wang Gui knew what it meant, and he also wrote a poem to Zhang Yue in return.
It was known that officials would present poems to respected Jinshi at wedding banquets, so Wang Gui's move was self-evident.
Zhang Yue looked at Wang Gui, then at Wang Anshi, and felt deeply what it meant to plant flowers deliberately but not bloom, and to plant willows unintentionally to create shade.
Finally, Zhang Yue wrote a note of gratitude to the emperor on the spot on behalf of all the Jinshi.
The letter of gratitude was completed, and the four people were amazed
Zhang Yue didn't drink much wine because he was writing a thank you note, but during the banquet, he saw Huang Lu drunk and a little rude. This was not his usual appearance.
After Zhang Yue finished writing his gratitude list, he immediately approached Huang Lu for consultation.
But he saw Huang Lu squatting on the ground, stroking the table and saying to Zhang Yue: "After I passed the provincial examination, I sent a letter to my hometown to announce the good news. I got a reply yesterday. Both parents are happy, but...only... …”
At this point, Huang Lu couldn't continue talking.
Zhang Yue asked: "Is it the woman who was your childhood sweetheart..."
Huang Lu nodded and said: "She didn't know that I passed away from illness after finishing fifth in the Imperial Examination."
Zhang Yue thought no wonder.
"What should we do?"
Huang Lu said: "Although we are not married yet, we are already engaged. According to the customs of my hometown, we are members of the Huang family. My parents wish to be buried in the ancestral grave of my Huang family. I have taken leave from the court and returned to my hometown. I will carve a monument for her with my own hands. Years of mourning.”
Ding You, an official of the Song Dynasty, did not mourn his wife, let alone one who had not yet mourned her. As soon as Huang Lv passed the Jinshi examination, he took a year off and had to travel back and forth. Did he just give up on this great career?
Zhang Yue hesitated to speak, and finally couldn't help but said: "Anzhong, you should think twice. You and I will be officials in the same court in the future, so we can't ruin our career."
Huang Lu shook his head and said: "Come to think of it, right now I am in a state of chaos and have nothing else to ask for. You also know that I am not too keen on fame. Being able to reach the same rank as you is really a blessing in life. As for the rest, it depends on fate. ."
Zhang Yue was speechless upon hearing this.
Huang Lu was the fifth person to become a Jinshi, and he took a leave of absence to go home without giving up on his promising future. This would leave an impression on the staff that this official was willful and self-willed.
If you don’t want to be an official anymore, how can others help you?
Zhang Yue didn't know what to say, so he had to comfort Huang Lu with a few words. Seeing that he continued to drink, Zhang Yue was afraid that he would become unconscious and make a fool of himself on the spot, so he had someone help him go home first.
When Zhang Yue came back, he happened to meet the banquet officer Shen Tuo.
When the banquet officer Shen Yu saw Huang Lu being helped into the carriage and leaving, he couldn't help asking Zhang Yue, "Why did Huang Anzhong leave in the middle of the show?"
Zhang Yue seemed a little displeased when he heard Shen Yu's words, and he also knew that Huang Lu's half-way departure from the banquet was not in line with the rules.
So he explained it to Shen Tuo. It should be understandable that Shen Yu is Zhang Yue, Huang Lu's first examiner for the palace examination, and he is also their teacher by name.
When Shen Yu heard this, he sighed in his heart, this Huang Lu is actually a person who attaches great importance to love and justice, which is rare and rare.
However, Shen Tuan said on his face: "This is really not worth it. But I won't mention it to others."
After saying that, Shen Yu looked at Huang Lu's carriage and couldn't help but think a little.
PS: Wu Chong refers to Huainan Road, which was previously recorded as Huainan East Road. In fact, it was Huainan East Road that was only established during the Xining period.
