Xiang Chong didn't have any relatives in his hometown, so he was buried on the official land of Jinyiwei on the outskirts of western Beijing. Early in the morning, at dawn, I took Hardy, Ning Boyang, and brothers from Beizhen Fusi to buy incense, candles, burning paper, ingots, etc. to see him off and fulfill one of my wishes. , after all, Xiang Chong is the first friend I met when I came to Jinyiwei.
There are many tombs in the official land. People who looked at the tombs said that since the Yongle year, many Jinyiwei people have been buried here one after another. The causes of their death are different, but one thing is that they can't go back to their hometown for burial. Buried here. Over the past 150 years, countless people have been buried. I watched silently, then lit the incense respectfully, and bowed in all directions. It was just a junior's respect for his seniors!
When I returned to Fusi, Beizhen, it was already midnight. I had just washed my face when a school captain came to me and told me to meet in the front yard immediately. He said that today's literary test would be about Cao Dian.
How do I know how to do that? I couldn't help but panic. After the captain left, Ning Boyang and Hardy came around. They were also very surprised and said: "It's really troublesome. If you upgrade to the general flag, what kind of training code is needed? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Although they said this, their eyes were fixed on Looking at me, I looked helpless and said: "Like you, I just received the notice that today's literary test, what do I know about the code?!" Ning Boyang said: "This is strange, normally the literary test is so Big things need to be mentioned in advance. We all know you are going out for a funeral, but why is no one mentioning it?" I was also confused, but I didn't know how to prepare.
After a brief tidying up, we hurried to the front yard and found that the yard was full of people taking exams. Everyone was in a commotion, and some people were really reading the book. I was panicking. Ning Boyang walked around in a circle. When he came back, his face changed drastically, and he whispered to me: "They knew the news a long time ago. It seems that the second brother, You just don’t know.” I felt even more flustered, but I didn’t want to say more, and said, “Just leave it to fate.”
When the time came, a man dressed as an adult from Qianhu came out and cleared his throat. Suddenly, there was silence in the yard. The Qianhu said loudly: "Brothers, I am Wei Zheng from Qianhu, Jinyiwei today." Let me say a few words for the selection of the general banner, under the command of the Commander-in-Chief. Grandpa Taizu has ordered that when the country selects talents, what is needed is true talent and practical learning, so in the future, the examination will be no less than the imperial examination. Although we are from martial arts backgrounds, You still need to be familiar with the national regulations, and I have already informed you of this matter under the order of Master Murong. Therefore, the exam will all depend on your luck." After saying that, he turned around, someone inside coughed, and he turned around , said, "The exam begins! Enter in order!"
The three of us looked at each other in confusion after hearing this. It seemed that I would not be able to pass the literary test. Thinking of this, I felt relieved. The serial number was handed out quickly, but I was behind. Ning Boyang kept staring at me, but there was no movement from me, and he asked suspiciously: "Second brother, do you know how to do it?" I smiled bitterly, shook my head, and said, "What can I know!"
I could see them entering the hall one by one from the side door on the left. Although the main entrance was separated by a bamboo curtain, I could vaguely see five examiners sitting behind the tables in the inner room. The person who answered the questions was standing in the outer room, answering questions loudly. We can hear it clearly from outside. Often if someone says "yes" inside, the person will pass and can walk out of the front door in a relaxed manner. If someone says "bad", the person will come out from the right door in despair.
This large-scale promotion of general banners was because Lord Hongzhi's health improved and he made an exception to allow Jinyiwei to promote a group of qualified people. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Therefore, there were many small banners and school lieutenants who applied for promotion. The questions asked in it were also very complicated, mostly related to exercises. I tried my best to memorize other people's questions and answers. Although my mind was good, after an hour passed, all I knew was one-sided. Maybe it was because of the hot weather or because I was nervous. In short, I felt upset and angry, but I was wondering why Liao Jianzhong didn't let me prepare. Now I can only resign myself to fate. Only a shout was heard from inside: "Zhang Ying, the captain of Fusi School in Beizhen, come in and answer!" The voice was pleasant to the ear.
I bravely shouted "yes" and walked in quickly. The outside room was very large. A young attendant took one look at me and led me in with a smile. This attendant was fair and fair, with straight eyebrows and gentle manners, like a fair-faced scholar. He asked me to stand at the door. It turned out that there was a bead curtain separating the outside and the inside. Behind me was the main entrance. Everything outside could be seen behind the bead curtain. I seemed to feel countless eyes staring at me. It was very ventilated and cool here. And I was still sweating nervously.
After a while, a majestic voice came from inside, saying: "You are Zhang Ying!" I said loudly: "My subordinate is Zhang Ying!" The man seemed to look at me, but I didn't dare to look up. The man said: "Raise your head. Come! Now I want to ask you a question!"
I felt like my heart was jumping into my throat, and my palms were sweaty. Someone laughed and said, "Don't be too nervous, just answer seriously." Listening to the voice, it was Murong Zhao, so I quickly said "Yes!"
It was quiet for a while, my heart was pounding, and suddenly someone said: "Have you ever been a charlatan?" I quickly said: "Yes, my ancestors practiced medicine, and my subordinates were influenced by their families and know a little bit."
"Then why did you join the Jinyi Guard?" The man asked, and just as I was about to answer, another person whispered a few words, and the man smiled and said, "It seems that your Jinyi Guard is full of talents!"
One person laughed and said: "The Jinyi Guards were set up by Emperor Taizu and are responsible for protecting the imperial court. We need to understand all kinds of professions in the world and the three religions and nine streams. The talents needed are naturally eclectic." Judging from the voice, it should be Murong Zhao.
The person who just asked the question coughed slightly and stopped talking. The other person said slowly: "I just looked at your resume and I can see that you have some abilities. You are also very strong. This is good, Jin Yiwei." We need young people like you here to connect the past and the future. Although the general flag is not a big deal, it is indeed a link between the past and the future. Hundreds and thousands of households started from this position. It could have been directly appointed, but for the sake of fairness, the court , sent a censor to check you carefully, and you can answer truthfully. In this case, let me ask you, "Da Ming Code" was created by Taizu Emperor Gao. Can you tell me what the five punishments are in the first volume of "Da Ming Code" What are the ten evils? What are the eight opinions?" My mood that had just relaxed suddenly started to rise again, my dear, how could I know these things? My head was buzzing and going blank.
Suddenly, a clear reply came to my ears: "Replying to my lords, the five punishments and the eight ten evils are actually the "Ming Ling Lv" in the "Da Ming Code", which is the first of all volumes. The five punishments are flogging, rod, disciple, flow, Death; the ten evils are treason, treason, treason, rebellion, unrighteousness, disrespect, unfilial piety, disharmony, unrighteousness, and civil strife; the eight evils are discussing relatives, discussing old friends, discussing merits, discussing virtues, and discussing abilities. , Discuss nobles, discuss guests.”
That day, I almost couldn't believe my ears. The voice was very similar to my voice. It was right next to me. The person who answered for me turned out to be the young attendant. He spoke quietly, and there was also a quiet voice inside. Listening, it was as if I was an outsider, watching silently.
"Very good! It seems that you are quite familiar with "Da Ming Law" and meet the promotion conditions. Zhang Ying, you can go out! Work hard and don't let down everyone's expectations!" A pleasant voice came from inside, and another person also said: "Yes, yes, Mr. Mou, you really have good eyesight!" I stayed for a while, and the attendant smiled and said: "General Zhang Qi, come this way!" The voice returned to its original state instantly, and I walked out numbly. , the dazzling sunlight temporarily made me unable to see clearly outside.
There are more and more people watching outside. They are here to watch the fun, or to cheer for their partners. I walked very heavy, not because I was depressed, but because everything just happened surprised me. I finally regained my composure and looked gratefully at the attendant who accompanied me. To be precise, he should be a scribe. He was dressed in clean official uniforms, with a neat collar and sleeves. He was thin and his fair face was always calm. He did not look at me. At this time, Hardy, Ning Boyang, and Lao Yu had already rushed over. They knew that I had passed and congratulated me warmly. Ning Boyang hugged me and said with a smile: "I knew you would be fine, and indeed it was fine. Second brother, you are so calm, I was scared!" And the scribe finally looked at me. He glanced at me, smiled indifferently, and said: "General Zhang Qi, you can celebrate with your brothers!" I was about to ask his name, but he turned around and left.
