On February 18th, during the Waking of Insects season, the clouds in the sky were heavy and it was about to rain but not yet.
In the boudoir on the second floor in the backyard of Yan's house, Yan Yan was sitting by the window with her ears propped up. She heard her mother's movements from a distance and hurriedly ran to the study.
This caused her maid Yong'er to follow in a panic.
"Sanniang, wait for me.
Yan Yan didn't wait and rushed to the study, and she saw Yan Zhenqing coming back from outside.
She obediently said a blessing and said, "I have met my grandpa, and my daughter wants to wish him well."
Wei Yun frowned and said, "My daughter's family is quieter. Be careful not to get married."
Yan Zhenqing said: "I came here in a hurry and saluted again. This is because I want to make a request to my father."
"No way? My daughter cares about my grandpa. Now that she has resigned from the post of county captain, I wonder where my grandpa is today?"
Yan Zhenqing didn't answer, waved his wife and daughter to go down, and walked into the study.
But Yan Yan refused to give up and insisted on asking, "Did I meet my brother and he was arrested again?"
Remember https://m in one second.
"He was not caught. It was just that the Ministry of Rites needed to verify some matters, but he refused to cooperate, so he remained in the Ministry of Rites.
"Isn't this being caught?
"Who wants to catch him? If he is willing to come out, he can come out on the first day."
Yan Yan refused to give up and said: "Brother must be trying to protect his own status. Have you seen him today?"
"Yeah." Yan Zhenqing thought about the meeting just now, her eyes became gloomy.
"Aren't you willing to help him? I understand. I just want to take him to Longyou with me."
“I wouldn’t take action if I didn’t, it’s because he won the No. 1 pick out of order.
Yan Yan kept asking: "What is against the rules? My brother is famous in Chang'an. He is not only the first in talent, but also the first in fame. The examiner deliberately asked him to violate taboos. This is against the rules."
Yan Zhenqing didn't know how to tell her daughter about the details behind this matter, and sighed: "He is young and his talent is not worthy of the number one scholar. After all, he failed even in the 35th grade of high school."
"Hey, in the Tang Dynasty Examination Hall, why does my brother need talent when he comes to this place?" Yan Yan was puzzled. She was both talented and well-known. She impressed the examiner with her writing skills, and the papers in the examination room were neat. Isn't he careful and careful? Why, my brother got hit, but even the rules were changed. "
"Where did you learn to be sharp-tongued and sharp-tongued?" Yan Zhenqing scolded her gently, but he actually knew where her daughter learned these things.
"My daughter is just not angry. It took great difficulty for my grandfather to teach me a champion.
"He deceived the emperor." Yan Zhenqing sighed and said: "He should not hide his true life experience from the saint. Even if he succeeds or fails, Yan Yan still firmly supports Xue Bai, saying: " Although he is deceiving the king, can brother tell the truth? That would cost your life. He would naturally find an opportunity to confess his love to the saint. What does this have to do with the examiners? He insists on meddling in his own business and stumbling upon him. "
"shut up.
"My daughter said that they were the ones who secretly caused trouble and bullied people in the examination room, but they said righteously that my brother had deceived me. To put it bluntly, it was because my brother had no power in his family...
This may not be true, but Yan Zhenqing's expression changed, he thought about it while stroking his beard, then suddenly opened the door and left.
"It's rare for Qingchen to come here today, but it's because of the examination?"
"Brother Chuting, have you heard about it too?
"Xue Bai is also my student." Zheng Qian sighed: "After hearing about the poem question of Jinke, I knew that he was the first scholar in the exam. I have been very worried recently and sent people to Xue's house to ask, but there was no news. I don't know what the result is. ?
Yan Zhenqing wanted to see how the situation looked in the eyes of the world, so instead of telling everything in advance, he first asked: "What does Brother Chuting think?
"I find it strange." Zheng Qian said: "He is almost the number one scholar appointed by a saint, but why does Cui Gong deliberately make things difficult for him?"
"Perhaps you don't like Xue Bai?" Yan Zhenqing said: "For example, Li Taibai, although his talent is astonishing, he is the son of a businessman after all. He was not allowed to take the imperial examination and official career, and he wasted half his life. Xue Bai also had a poor background, so he worked under the sect of the powerful, and he was not the same person. There is no difference between a businessman and an actor, but the princes naturally do not want to point him out. Does Brother Chuting think this speculation is reasonable?
Zheng Qian sighed, stood up, held a bundle of papers, spread them out on the table, pointed at them and asked, "It must be related to this?
"good."
"Sure enough, this matter is due to the suppression of Xue Bai by the princes." Zheng Qian said, "I am willing to report it to the saint."
"No, there is something hidden in this matter." Yan Zhenqing said seriously: "The reason why Xue Bai suffered like this is because of the deception and a long conversation.
Zheng Qian was not surprised by Xue Bai's life experience. He had already guessed that Xue Bai was not Xue Ling's son. If a gambler goes into debt and goes into hiding, how can he not come back when he hears that his son has become famous?
It's just because this is a good story told by a saint, and everyone pretends to believe it.
"Did Mr. Cui punish Xue Bai because he deceived you?"
"If this is the case, then the title of No. 1 Scholar must not be preserved, and one should not even have any ideas. Ignorance of propriety is a sure way to death." Yan Zhenqing said, "So I said that I would go to Longyou for a year to avoid it."
He changed the topic and said: "But today I went to see this Zhuzi, and he said that if he can lose the number one scholar promised by the saint, then everyone can bully him."
Zheng Qian said: "If the Qing minister has something to say, you may as well say it directly. As long as I can help him, I will never shirk it."
"I was just thinking, is Cui Gong targeting him in this way because he has deceived the emperor? Or is it because I am an incompetent apprentice, not only a face, a businessman, an actor, but also a lowly slave, and I get too many things. "
The words were a bit cryptic, but Zheng Qian understood them.
Same means, different ends, but the essence of the matter is completely different.
He leaned over and asked, "How?"
Yan Zhenqing said: "You have to take a look at his paper first. If the paper is not good, there is no need to talk about it."
Forging iron requires one's own hardness. This is an eternal truth.
"Yes." Zheng Qian said: "I have a disciple who is the chief registrar in the Ministry of Rites. He is one of the reviewers in Chunwei. I asked him to take out Xue Bai's papers... and show them to all the princes."
"Thank you for your hard work, brother Chuting."
"It's not hard." Zheng Qian stood up and said with a smile: "Xue Bai once took risks to save my life. I'm lucky that I can do something small for him.
On this day, I first went to the Ministry of Rites.
When he came out, Yan Zhenqing's expression was a little different.
"He is worthy of being a disciple taught by Qing ministers." Zheng Qian said: "The literary talent is not great, but the workmanship is impeccable."
"He is also a disciple of Brother Chu Ting." Yan Zhenqing said: "The handwriting is still a little bad, and the writing skills are not enough."
“It’s harsh, it’s harsh.
Back home, Yan Zhenqing no longer hesitated, sharpened the ink, spread out a long roll of bamboo paper, dipped the pen in the ink, and wrote quickly.
In the seventh year of Gan Tianbao's reign, he collected scholars and sent a letter to Cui Gong of the Ministry of Rites. "
"On the eighteenth day of the second lunar month, Xuanyi Lang and Yan Zhenqing, the supervisory censor, would like to send this letter to Your Excellency, Shangshu."
"Those who have heard of a scholar who is outstanding in the current world must be recommended by the sages of the past; those who set an example for future generations must be their successors. This sincerity will only happen once in a thousand years. Your Excellency has a vision of the world, and is upright and pragmatic." , do not follow the popular trend, Xue Bai is humble but embraces unparalleled talents, and is given gifts by his disciples. It is your ambition to be in Du Ji, and he uses his talents to repay the king, which is the first of its kind in ancient times. I feel deeply about this, and try to talk about the country The Way to Recruit Scholars……..
"Bai lost his parents when he was young, lost his memory when he was young, and his body was like duckweed. Duke Meng Cui did not give up, and promoted him to the top position. He shed tears of gratitude...
The brush was swaying on the paper. Xue Bai stopped what he was doing when he heard footsteps coming from outside the door.
He turned around and saw Da Xixun coming in, and his eyes became wary.
"Xue Lang is polite." Da Xixun smiled at him, "What are you writing?"
"Mr. Cui selected me as the top pick, and I have to be grateful to him."
"No, no need." Da Xixun raised his hand and said, "The room in the Ministry of Rites is really simple. Please invite Mr. Xue now."
"Where to go?
"Alas, Cui Qiao is old and confused. He made a mistake in the question and mistakenly selected you as the top pick. He has already submitted a petition to depose you as the top pick.
"Really? Cui Gong promised me to check in a few days, but why did he change his mind?"
Da Xixun stepped forward and whispered: "Xue Lang is confused, do you still want to become the number one scholar? I have heard about it, but you let Cui Qiao and Zhang Cairong think about it slowly? Who do you think you are? You are seeking death. . If it's too late, the saint will see that you are so ignorant, and no one can protect you with the decree. It was the Seventeenth Mother of the Prime Minister's Mansion who begged the right prime minister, and the right prime minister was willing to come forward. Let's go now, everything is over. .
This sounds nice, but it is extremely powerful.
Cui Qiao and Zhang Bo could still discuss it, but Li Linfu, as the right prime minister, had a domineering streak of his own. He didn't need to consult Xue Bai's thoughts and directly asked the Ministry of Rites to write a letter to dismiss him as the top pick.
They are all powerful people, and they only act based on interests. Seeing that Xue Bai lost his sacred work, he naturally started to divide it among others. What others were competing for was Xue Bai's imperial examination ranking, Yang Party power, and industrial interests. In the end, Li Linfu smiled contemptuously and laughed at these people. Not knowing what was most valuable, I raised my hand and crossed out Xue Bai.
It's like sharing a piece of meat. Of course, you don't need to care whether the piece of meat agrees or not.
In this case, it would be meaningless for Xue Bai to stay in the Ministry of Rites.
Da Xixun led him all the way out, arranged the horses, and said, "Mr. Xue just follow me to the Youxiang Mansion."
"No need.
After Xue Bai got on his horse, he glanced condescendingly at Da Xixun, but then drove straight away.
Looking at his back, Da Xixun shook his head and sneered: "I don't know how high the sky is."
"Xue Bai left the Ministry of Rites?"
Zhang Tian was a little surprised when he got the news.
He promised Xue Bai to wait for two days to think about it, but unexpectedly, the Right Prime Minister's Office acted swiftly and dealt with the matter directly.
Of course, this is also the most appropriate way to deal with it, so as not to cause any trouble to the saint.
“Consort, Zheng Sanjue is here to visit.
"If you don't see me, then you say I'm sick." Zhang Tian waved his hand.
Just after this maid left, another maid hurried over and said, "Consort, you have a request from the Right Prime Minister's Mansion."
"They say I'm sick.
"Here.
Zhang Tian smiled bitterly, looked at Princess Ning Qin who had a frosty face next to him, and said casually: "Okay, the matter is over.
You have not been implicated in these bad things of mine, and the saint has not blamed us for this. Are you satisfied?
"Xue Bai is obviously Xue Xi's son, but you and that bitch pretended that he was an adopted son, avoiding the important and taking the easy. If you don't kill Tang Chang, do you still ask me if I am satisfied?"
As soon as she mentioned it, Princess Ning couldn't control her emotions immediately and shouted: "Every cheap slave you raise in that shabby courtyard will die! I want you to kill them all to prove to me why there is still one there all the time. Dazzling in front of my eyes? Am I satisfied? Can I be satisfied?!"
"What does it have to do with me?" Zhang Zan said calmly: "I have never contacted them. How can I know what they said? I just ask the saint not to be suspicious of us..."
"You deserve to die!" Princess Ningqin was furious, picked up the wine glass and threw it on Zhang Po, scolding: "What are you thinking about getting involved in that bitch's bad things? Do you think I don't know? It's a bitch to meddle in other people's business! If you hadn't promised that old guy He Zhizhang, would these things have happened?!"
"Why did I agree?" Zhang Zan asked, "Isn't it the mess left by your brothers and sisters?"
"For whom? For whose future do I get close to my brother? Go to hell!
Another wine glass hit him.
Zhang Zan frowned, stood up and walked out, saying calmly: "Anyway, the matter is over. Princess, please have a good rest."
"You dare to go out? Zhang Zan, I will send people to keep an eye on you. If you dare to touch another woman, I will draw a lot for you!"
In the lobby of Kangjia Restaurant in Qingmen, Zhang Po sat down alone and poured himself a glass of wine.
As far as he was concerned, the whole trouble was over.
But occasionally, some chatter in the restaurant would fall into his ears. Although he was too lazy to pay attention, some of the scholars' remarks inevitably made him pay attention.
It was clear that Xue Bai had violated a taboo in playing cards and should not be the top scholar. Last year's Chunwei Five Scholars became the villains who controlled the examination room this year. Until nightfall, the scholars were scolding Xue Bai.
Later, Zhang Tian got drunk, threw a bunch of coins to the shopkeeper, and fell asleep on the table. The consequences of doing so would be serious, but he just didn't want to go back to the princess' mansion.
It was during the night that he dreamed of Li Bai. He felt envious of Li Bai.
As soon as he fell asleep, there was noise around him again. Zhang Zan woke up, rubbed his eyes, and found that food and wine were coming again, and he continued to drink.
"Are we really going to replace Xue Lang's number one scholar with Yang Yu?
I heard it was reported in several restaurants yesterday. "
"Who is Yang Yu? I have never heard of him.
"The Imperial College copied and published the papers of Xue Bai and Yang Yu. I looked at them, and they were very different. You can go and take a look. Xue Bai can write those poems handed down from generation to generation. He is famous and talented. But do you know why Uncle Zong deliberately wrote the questions? To force him to commit a taboo? Just point to his number one pick, and then give up on his number one pick. It's unnecessary."
"Why?
"Xue Bai is not the son of the gambler Xue Ling. He is an orphan adopted by a prison official and fell into a lowly position. How could the great uncle allow such a person to become a Jinshi? It was just a deliberate frame-up. In addition, it was also to prevent Yang Guojiu from selling at a low price. Bamboo paper and collection of notes have cut off the way out for those of us from poor families. These secrets have long been known to everyone in the officialdom, only the saints have been hidden..."
Zhang Zan turned around and saw that the scholar who was talking eloquently in the crowd left immediately after speaking, calling others to go to the Imperial College to look at the papers.
It can be seen that Xue Bai still has some strength in the market, and has begun to arrange people to change the direction of the reputation of the scholars. Unfortunately, these actions may not be effective, but may cause disaster.
Drinking wine one glass after another, Zhang Po became drunk again, until the name he didn't like came to his ears.
"Prince-in-law, Prince-in-law, wake up...
"Don't call me again.
Zhang Zan muttered, opened his eyes, and saw a eunuch in front of him, and then he became more awake.
"The saint has summoned him, but the prince-in-law hasn't packed up yet and entered the palace for an audience?!"
For a moment, Zhang Po once again thought of Li Bai, who "can't get on the boat even if the emperor calls him".
It's a pity that he is not Li Bai. He has already sacrificed too much for his family. If he dares to make a mistake, his nearly twenty years of youth will be wasted meaninglessly.
He washed his face with cold water, dressed himself up like the handsome prince-in-law, and went to the palace to see him.
Under the pear tree, there was a graceful dance, and a clear song came. It turned out to be "The Romance of the West Chamber" performed by the saint.
Zhang Tian walked calmly, thinking about his comments in his mind first. When he rushed to Li Longji, he even forgot to greet him. He couldn't help but said: "May I ask the saint, what new song is this? The rhythm of the tune is unprecedented. . It is light and soft, delicate and expressive, and has a mellow charm. When I listen to it, I feel like a fragrance enters my nose and penetrates my heart and lungs."
"Okay, okay, I know you can praise me."
Li Longji laughed heartily and asked Zhang Zan to walk with him by the lake, and asked: "I scolded you a few days ago, do you have any complaints?
"I have done something wrong, and I will never complain."
"When Superintendent He took office, he was over eighty years old." Li Longji had obviously lost his temper and sighed: "He entrusted you with a favor, how could you not agree? If I am angry, can I still be angry with him? "
Zhang Po responded: "Sages are tolerant and generous, and there are no kings in ancient times.
"It's not like I can't tolerate a few adopted orphans, but Xue Bai underestimated my ambition and tried to hide it from the world. He deserves to be killed. For the sake of being the sworn brother of the imperial concubine, please spare his life."
"Yes, that's what the right minister did too." Zhang Po breathed a sigh of relief knowing that he had guessed the saint's intention.
The matter should have ended here, but Li Longji continued talking.
"General Gao, show him the two articles Zheng Sanjue handed over."
Zhang Zan couldn't help but be surprised.
He knew that Zheng Qian had always been very popular with the saints and was called one of the "Three Wonders" by the emperor. However, it seemed that Zheng Qian had not been with him for a long time since he wrote the history of the country privately.
After a while, two pieces of paper were handed to Zhang Po's hand.
"Please consort, please take a look. This is a letter written by Yan Zhenqing and Master Xue Bai to Cui Qiao. It has been circulated in Chang'an."
Zhang Zan looked at it and looked thoughtful.
Gao Lishi asked with a smile: "Can you understand the meaning of this article?"
"Yan Zhenqing's purpose in writing this article was first to protect Xue Bai's title of champion. He openly claimed that Xue Bai was the son of a criminal and was of humble origin. He did not talk about Xue Bai's bullying of the emperor. He only talked about the impact of supporting poor children on the country and described the aristocratic family. The younger generation controls the influence of the academic field, and then cites Li Bai and Gao Shi as examples, and raises the question of whether those in lower positions cannot contribute to the country, in order to change the atmosphere of the academic field."
"Ha." Li Longji heard it funny and asked, "I don't understand, so I called you to explain it to me?"
"I dare not lie, so I tell the truth."
"Then look, is Yan Zhenqing trying to protect the students? Or is he trying to change the atmosphere in the examination room?
"It should be...all of them."
"What do you think of Xue Bai's letter?" Li Longji was a little displeased and said, "Shu Zi didn't come to ask for me or my concubine, but he fawned over Cui Qiao to protect his reputation. It's ridiculous.
Zhang Zan remained aloof from the incident and responded, "Presumably he knows that the saint is still angry with him."
Gao Lishi asked: "The sage asked you, why did Yan Zhenqing and Xue Bai only write to Cui Qiao?"
"Cui Qiao is the examiner of Jinke Chunwei after all...
"Then what he did was in accordance with the holy will? Or was it to control the examination room? If it was the former, Master Yan and Xue should beg for mercy from the saint. In their opinion, Chunwei examination room, Cui Does Qiao have more power than a saint?"
Zhang Po was horrified when he heard this. He speculated that Zheng Qian had said something in front of the saint to make the saint feel this way. Maybe it was something like "The number one scholar appointed by the saint will soon be replaced by the person agreed upon by the noble family." ”.
He finally got out and didn't want to get into this muddy water again, so he responded: "Xue Bai was obsessed with fame and was so sick that he sought medical treatment.
"You still dare to be obsessed with fame? The saint asked the consort to beat him, but the consort failed to teach him a lesson, right? If this son doesn't want to repent, why not kill him?!"
"Xue Bai did admit his mistake!" Zhang Po responded quickly, "otherwise I would not dare to advocate keeping his life."
"Now that you've admitted your mistake, why are you still causing trouble?"
Gao Lishi asked repeatedly, and the trouble finally fell back on Zhang Zan.
Zhang Po guessed the saint's thoughts and suddenly thought of something.
He hesitated for a while, and finally stopped being aloof and said: "At that time, Xue Bai asked Chen a few words. He asked if it was Chen's idea that someone controlled the craftsmanship and pricing of bamboo paper. He also asked Cui Qiao if he wanted to be the number one scholar. to whom."
Li Longji listened and asked: "Someone controls the craftsmanship and pricing of bamboo paper?
Zhang Zan responded: "Yes.
"Does anyone still want the top pick in Jinke?
"yes.
"When did it start?
Sir... I really don't know...
"When did Cui Qiao know that Xue Bai was deceiving you?" Li Longji didn't ask. He must have been prepared when he asked, "When did Li Tan start coveting the benefits of bamboo paper? When did Yang Yu want to Take this first prize?
Zhang Zan immediately panicked and said, "Your Majesty clearly knows that I don't know anything about this matter."
"You don't know, then do they know? Xue Bai deceived you and hid his life experience from me. Did Cui Qiao, Li Tan, Yang Yu and others deceive you?
"The saint only wants to know one thing." Gao Lishi stepped forward, supported Zhang Po, and reminded: "After Xue Bai deceived the king and was convicted, did they take away the things the saint gave to Xue Bai? Or did they want to Take these things to take advantage of this matter.”
Gao Lishi smiled and said: "The dishes haven't even been served yet, why did someone take away all the dishes? The saint leaves all state affairs to the right minister, and there are only so many things that can go directly to the saint's hearing. We can't be easily deceived." "
Zhang Po bowed deeply and received the edict.
He had always said that Xue Bai was greedy, but then he suddenly realized that Xue Bai was not the greediest one. I have offered treasures to saints many times, and my ministers are here to investigate?
So far, he has not had any official position, and he only wants to be the number one scholar.
Because Xue Bai was too humble, as long as the saint gave him a mere Jinshi background and official qualifications, it would be a great favor to him.
What's there to argue about between a saint and such a small official slave? Could it be that because an official slave concealed his life experience, it still made the saint feel extremely sad?
In comparison, the appetites of aristocratic families and powerful officials are too great.
Even the "Eternal Romance" paper inscribed by the saint himself must be coveted, and even the number one scholar promised by the saint himself must be taken.
Cui Qiao did nothing wrong at first. She was indeed teasing Xue Bai following the holy will. Unfortunately, the next mistake was that he was too greedy. He would rather give up the official position given by the saint than take the benefits for his relatives, friends and old friends.
In fact, just don’t divide those rankings, interests, and power.
Who is greedy?
