Because of Sheng Ye's arrival, Tao Zhu delayed some work, so Li Qiao put down his books to help him.
The New Year festival is different from other festivals. During the New Year, these four words are enough to push aside the imperial examination.
On New Year's Eve, post Spring Festival couplets and make dumplings.
Li Qiao and Tao Zhu prepared six kinds of fillings, which symbolize the six and six fortunes.
Li Xia rolled out the dough, and Li Qiao, Tao Zhu, and Li Ershan started wrapping it.
"I don't know what's going on over there in Sanliu Village. I miss the atmosphere last year." Tao Zhu sighed softly as he spoke.
"No villagers will send us dumplings this year." Li Qiao also misses Sanliu Village.
Li Ershan also missed home. It was the first time he was so far away from home: "I hope my eldest brother will send home letters back as soon as possible."
"Don't worry, everything in Sanliu Village must be fine now." Li Xia said.
Li Qiao suddenly smiled after hearing this: "Yes, everything is fine in Sanliu Village now."
This good thing is hard-won.
After the New Year, he must continue to work hard.
After the dumplings were wrapped, they sent some to Xu Yingchenhua, the Zhuang family, the Meng family, the Han family, and the Xu family. These families also sent dumplings. After dinner, everyone gathered together to play for a while, and then dispersed. .
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Li Qiao and Tao Zhu gave New Year's money to Li Ershan and Li Xia, and then went out to go shopping.
The most important thing about shopping is to leave the area in the north of the city and go to other places. Li Qiao has finished shopping in the bookstores in the north of the city, and he wants to visit other bookstores.
Han Ning acted as his guide, and the day passed quickly.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, an unpleasant thing happened.
Of course, this unpleasantness refers to Xu Ying's house next door. He has good hearing and heard it.
The Xu family wanted to visit him personally this time and asked him to bring Xu Ying with him when he visited Mr. Zhao. Xu Ying threatened the Xu family by severing relations, and the Xu family finally stopped.
After hearing the farce next door, he couldn't help but sympathize with Xu Ying. It was terrible to meet such a family member.
On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, he and Tao Zhu brought duck snacks and went to the Zhao Mansion to meet Mr. Zhao.
He had already handed over the post, and Mr. Zhao was waiting at the house. Mr. Zhao was as amiable and approachable as when he was in the capital.
Last time, Mr. Zhao gave him a general introduction to the situation in the capital.
This time, Mr. Zhao focused on telling him about the seed players participating in the competition.
The examination is a national examination, and the participants are all the candidates in Dasheng. The candidates in this session can be said to be crouching dragons, hidden tigers, and full of talents. Moreover, because Li Qiao's reputation is so great, although he has not seen other candidates, other candidates He has been regarded as the number one public enemy of this session.
"You had a smooth road before, and you came from a small place. Many people want to compete with you." Mr. Zhao said, with a trace of imperceptible worry on his face.
He was extremely satisfied with Li Qiao. After carefully studying the article written by Li Qiao last time, the Ministry of Industry had already sent people to conduct an on-site inspection.
If nothing unexpected happens, Da Sheng will adopt the method proposed by Li Qiao to regulate the Yellow River.
He didn't want such a good seed to be cut off by others.
*
The author has something to say:
Hey, the seventh prince is actually the younger brother...
An edit was made at the end of the last chapter, which changed the detail of wells freezing, because wells rarely freeze in winter... QAQ
Chapter 104 Li Qiao has a poisonous mouth.
These days, Li Qiao has been studying hard in the rented yard. When he goes out, he always goes straight to the bookstore with a clear goal.
He really turned a deaf ear to what was going on outside the window and only read the books of sages.
But this is not the case for other candidates who go to Beijing to take the exam.
When other candidates entered the capital, some like Li Qiao studied hard behind closed doors, but most of them participated in poetry societies, literary societies, etc. while studying.
These people are likely to become officials in the future. If they hang around in the officialdom, they will be kicked down easily as lone wolves. Therefore, even if they know that the emperor does not like ministers to form cliques and form small groups, in order to protect their own interests, people will still Build relationships and expand your network.
After many scholars came to Shengjing, they actively participated in various gatherings. On the one hand, they really wanted to discuss articles and poems. If they wrote a shocking work, they would become famous in Shengjing immediately.
Needless to say, there are benefits to being famous. The biggest benefit is that you don’t have to take the initiative to seek refuge with the powerful. As long as your reputation is big enough, powerful people will take the initiative to win over you.
On the other hand, I really want to make friends.
The probability of writing a stunning work is too small, but it is easier to achieve the goal of making friends.
In addition, some qualified candidates will also recognize their teachers.
There are two types of apprenticeships. One is the real teacher-student kind. The teacher really wants to preach to the students, learn their karma and solve their doubts.
In this kind of teacher-student relationship, the teacher is usually a contemporary great Confucian who is famous all over the world. He has few but talented students, all of whom are outstanding.
Another kind of teacher-student relationship, the teacher does not really teach the students, the two parties just use each other. The apprentice hands over a sum of money, and from now on has a protective umbrella. The apprentice has both the money and his own power. With the addition of new blood, both parties can be said to be mutually beneficial.
In short, the capital city has been extremely lively recently, and the princes are showing off their magical powers to pave the way for the future.
These candidates chose different paths for the future, but their curiosity about Li Qiao was the same as never before.
He came from a small place, but he had a great reputation. Even the emperors wrote articles for him, and he also won the Xiao Sanyuan and Xie Yuan. He was a popular player competing for the top prize.
But Li Qiao, whose calligraphy is correct except for all the characters, cannot find any merit.
As for poetry, I barely passed the mark, and the craftsmanship in each piece was so full that it almost overflowed the test paper.
As for the article.
One article is normal and one article is shocking. It is somewhat capable, but it is hard to tell how much ability it actually has.
"The four articles you wrote in the Tongsheng Examination and the Provincial Examination have spread to the capital. Many people are amazed, but many are dismissive."
Master Zhao analyzed Li Qiao's attitude towards him in detail.
"The article you wrote in the government examination was a bit flattering. The article in the county examination on how to eradicate water bandits was considered outstanding in Hexi Prefecture, but in the eyes of many politicians in the capital, it is nothing."
"There are young geniuses in the capital who are astonishingly talented. For example, Xin Zhi, this is the grandson of Marquis Wu'an. He is studying in the Imperial College. He is only nineteen years old this year. Like you, he won the Xiao San Yuan and the Sheng Jing Prize last year. Jieyuan, who took the provincial examination, is a popular candidate for number one."
"In addition to young geniuses, there are also people who have been able to take the examination for various reasons but are stable and mature, such as Gu Lianghan, who was the Jieyuan of the provincial examination in the 30th year of Kai'an. He was the 31st year of Kai'an. The number one candidate for the No. 1 pick, unfortunately, his parents passed away one after another, and he himself fell seriously ill, so it has been postponed until this year."
Kai'an is the reign name of the Supreme Emperor.
"Your articles in the county and provincial examinations are nothing in the eyes of people represented by Xin Zhi and Gu Lianghan. These people have good vision, background, and experience. Only your articles in the hospital and provincial examinations can be considered by them." Eye."
"Originally, there were only a few candidates for the top pick, all of whom had extraordinary status. Now you have gone from Pingcheng to Shengjing step by step. As an outsider, many people want to know your true worth."
Li Qiao: "..."
He was silent for a moment, and then laughed: "Students also think that being able to stand in the capital is 80% luck."
"There are so many people waiting to compete with the students. The students are frightened and can only do their best."
Since he decided to take the imperial examination, he can't blame others for being hostile to him.
He wants to win the No. 1 pick, and others also want to snatch it, so everyone should rely on their own abilities.
"You have luck, but it's more about your strength. You have solid basic skills. How can you rely on luck? You can relax, but being famous has its benefits. Countless people are watching you. This is actually a kind of protection."
"And this is the capital, no one dares to mess around."
"After you go back, you can study with peace of mind and prepare well for the exam next month. Don't think about anything else. If someone sends you a post inviting you to a party, push it if you can."
Mr. Zhao said again.
Li Qiao has been in the capital for a month, but there is no force to win him over, which shows that all parties are waiting and watching.
Now that the New Year is over and the test is getting closer and closer, there will definitely be people who can’t sit still.
He didn't know what the Holy One's attitude towards Li Qiao was, but the Holy One had already given Li Qiao a royal plaque. As long as Li Qiao didn't take the initiative to die, others would probably not dare to do anything about it.
Therefore, as long as Li Qiao stays steady and prepares well for the test, no one else can do anything to Li Qiao.
"Students understand and must follow the instructions of adults."
Li Qiao spoke with a grateful expression.
Master Zhao told him this, and he was really grateful.
Being famous does have its benefits.
But no one dares to mess around. This is up for debate. Tao Zhu just saved a man in black.
After coming out of Zhao Mansion, Li Qiao and Tao Zhu drove the ox cart back to the rented yard.
Tao Zhu didn't speak just now, but he listened to all Master Zhao's words, so he couldn't hide the worry on his face.
"Li Qiao, we two helpless little country bumpkins rushed into the capital rashly and overshadowed those proud men. Will they come to trick us?"
"Don't be afraid. If something happens to me, it will be a slap in the face of the Holy One. The Holy One gave me a royal inscription to ensure my prosperity for the rest of my life. I am only twenty-two years old, and this life has just begun."
Li Qiao smiled and said in a relaxed tone: "Don't think too much, we are not helpless."
"That's right." Tao Zhu thought about the behavior of the Jiang magistrate who refused to let Li Qiao spend money to prevent Li Qiao from becoming rich, and the worry in his heart suddenly disappeared.
Although the Holy Sage did not give Li Qiao any preferential treatment during the imperial examination, vermicelli was very popular. It had only been three years since the Holy Sage's essay was published, and Li Qiao was very popular in front of the Holy Sage.
If something happens to Li Qiao, it will really be a slap in the face of the Holy Emperor.
"Besides, Mr. Zhao said that those people have doubts about my talent. In this case, even if they want to provoke me, they will compete with me in an honest and open manner, and they will not use any tricks."
Li Qiao said again.
The price of coming to Yin is too high, so it is better to compete openly and openly. After all, he is not good at calligraphy and poetry, and it is too easy to step on him.
"What you said makes sense, let's go buy books then? If you read more books, you can outsmart them." Tao Zhu wanted to visit the bookstore.
"Okay." Li Qiao nodded.
He knew the Four Books, Five Classics, Three Histories, and Three Biography by heart, and was not afraid of any ink meanings or scripture inscriptions. He would not be able to mention poetry for a while. Of course, he did not want to mention it. His Majesty did not pay much attention to poetry.
Therefore, what he should do most now is to expand his knowledge as much as possible.
Compared with the provincial examination, the level of the professional examination is higher. If you pass the examination, you will be a Jinshi.
Once you become a Jinshi, the imperial court really wants to award you an official, so the policy questions in the examination will definitely become more difficult.
