When Zhang Zhou came out of the official office, Zhu Houzhao was already waiting impatiently.
"Is it over? It's time to take me to a fun place, right?" When Zhu Houzhao saw Zhang Zhou coming out, he immediately jumped out of the carriage with a look of anticipation on his face.
The last time he came out, he made trouble in Zhang Zhou's laboratory all afternoon. This time he had a clear goal, which was to follow Zhang Zhou out to see what he was doing.
Zhang Zhou said: "I want to go to the Imperial College."
Zhu Houzhao shouted: "Why are you going to that kind of place again? Didn't you say that you have a speech book? We agreed to make money, so you can take me to see it!"
For Zhu Houzhao, after finally getting out of the palace, and then going to schools and other places where literati gathered, he felt like he had just emerged from the tiger's mouth and entered the wolf's den.
Zhang Zhou said: "It's up to you whether you want to go or not. Prince, please do as you please!"
As far as Zhang Zhou is concerned, if you don't come out to coax the children, you have to follow him. The emperor has said that the boy's words don't count, so wouldn't it be cowardly to have to be controlled by you?
"Don't leave. Let's discuss it. After we get out of the Imperial College, can we find a good place to visit the head office?"
…
…
Zhang Zhou took Zhu Houzhao to the Imperial Academy.
At this time, Tang Yin and others walked out of the official residence. Their carriages were ordered to the street corner by the Jin Yiwei. They themselves were still wondering why their carriages had moved.
"Master, I heard that someone from an official family came earlier, so we can only go aside first. They are very powerful."
The domestic slaves of the Tang Dynasty were driving Xu Jing's carriage.
Tang Yin's family was actually in decline by this time, and it was only thanks to Xu Jing's appreciation that he could enjoy extraordinary treatment.
Tang Yin was still immersed in the atmosphere of his previous bet with Zhang Zhou and could not recover for a while.
"Is that Jin Yiwei?"
Zhang Zhou and Zhu Houzhao left, and the Jin Yiwei naturally had to withdraw as well.
Some Juren had never seen Jin Yiwei before, but they suddenly saw groups of people passing by, and they still stopped to watch.
Xu Jing was waiting for news at a nearby place. When he heard that the show was over, he came over in a hurry: "Bohu, how are you?"
Tang Yin told Zhang Zhou about his bet.
Xu Jingdao: "I just heard that there is a tribute selection in the Imperial College this year. Guess what? That Zhang Bingkuan actually participated."
"really?"
Tang Yin was quite surprised.
Zhang Zhou actually kept his word. He made a bet with him here. He also felt that Zhang Zhou was too arrogant and would probably default on the money later.
Now when he heard Xu Jing say this, he knew that Zhang Zhou meant it.
"I didn't understand. You said that at his age, it was his first time to take the examination, and even before he took the examination, he had to be selected and released from office. What was he trying to do? You don't have to worry, Bohu. , given his condition, he will definitely not be able to pass the imperial examination."
Xu Jing saw Tang Yin's worried look, fearing that Tang Yin was worried about the bet with Zhang Zhou.
Tang Yin said: "Not necessarily."
Xu Jing smiled and encouraged: "It is best to leave no room for failure when taking the imperial examination. How could he participate in the selection for tribute and the general examination at the same time? When he has other things on his mind, he will definitely not be able to take the general examination. To pass the exam, I think he is just looking for a way out of his incompetence."
As he was talking, a carriage stopped nearby.
Tang Yin looked over and saw that the other party was an official's carriage.
Wang Hao opened the curtain and waved, and Tang Yin hurriedly stepped forward to salute.
"Bohu, I heard about your bet with Bingkuan. I have something to tell you. The prince's chariot has just left." Wang Hao said.
"Prince?"
Tang Yin didn't understand the situation for a while.
Wang Hao said bluntly: "Although no one has said it clearly, from what I know, Bingkuan entered the East Palace to give lectures as early as when he arrived in Beijing, and then came in and out of the palace many times. You shouldn't compete with him for a moment of loyalty!"
After all, Wang Hao was a bachelor and occupied an important seat in the daily lectures in the East Palace. He knew a lot of information, but he would never mention it to others in the past.
When Tang Yin heard this, he stood there blankly, as if his soul had been taken away for a moment, and he became a walking dead puppet.
"Bohu, I've thought about it, he may not be fighting with you out of malice, or he may be able to inspire you to improve, and he doesn't mean to make things difficult." Wang Hao has extraordinary insight after all. At first, he didn't want to have much to do with Zhang Zhou. But after hearing about Zhang Zhou's bet with Tang Yin, he seemed to be the best able to understand Zhang Zhou's "deep meaning."
Tang Yin said: "The students don't understand."
Wang Hao smiled bitterly.
There are some things that cannot be explained to Tang Yin.
Do you want to tell him that even if you lose, it will still be your honor to become Zhang Zhou's disciple? I'm afraid you still don't know how much His Majesty respects Zhang Zhou now!
I'm afraid that if others want to have a relationship with him, there will be no chance.
As for why Zhang Zhou stopped participating in the imperial examination after losing... Even Wang Hao seemed to think that with Zhang Zhou's experience, this examination might be Zhang Zhou's only chance to take the imperial examination on the right track. As Zhang Zhou feared, If he fails the exam this time, it will be difficult for him to calm down and take exams in the future.
Just because the emperor came to look for him when he had nothing to do, would this allow people to prepare for the exam with peace of mind?
Wang Hao didn't answer and left.
After Wang Hao left, Xu Jing came forward and asked, "Who is that?"
"Master, I am a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy and a bachelor of Zhan Shi Wang, the young master of Zhan Shi Mansion." Tang Yin replied.
Xu Jing said in surprise: "Bohu, it seems you are lucky. Even Bachelor Wang admires you so much. If you can be ranked first in high school, it will be easier for someone in the court to enter Hanyuan, and you will have a bright future in the future."
Tang Yin suddenly felt disappointed: "Can I really be ranked first in high school?"
These words also surprised Xu Jing.
Tang Yin, who was wild and unruly and confident, became mentally distorted after meeting Zhang Zhou. He even doubted whether he could pass the Jinshi examination?
"Bohu, others may not have confidence in you, but from what I have seen, your talent is comparable to those who have been in Hanlin for a long time. You will definitely pass high school on this list!"
The good relationship between Xu Jing and Tang Yin is more of an investment.
He himself didn't have much confidence in the examination, but he was full of confidence in Tang Yin.
…
…
Inside the Imperial College.
An "interview" is taking place at this time.
The Hanlin Academy sent a five-person team headed by Liu Chun, editor of the Hanlin Academy History Museum, to conduct interviews and assessments of more than 50 previously shortlisted eunuchs. In the Imperial College, Lin Han, the Imperial College's sacrificial wine, and Imperial College Secretary Ye Jia Yong were also included. .
The seven examiners were all from the Hanlin Academy, and Lin Han had the highest official position, so Lin Han was very confident. He felt that with his own prestige, it would be too easy to kill Zhang Zhou in the final round.
The content of the exam is also the same as the ordinary imperial examination.
Questions were given on the spot. Everyone sat behind the desk and wrote an article within an hour and handed in the paper.
Before Zhang Zhou came in, he noticed that the average age of Ju Gong who came to participate in the selection this time was over fifty years old... They were all the kind who had been Ju Gong for half their lives and felt that there was no hope of becoming a Jinshi. They also served in the Imperial College for many years and were in Someone who has some experience in reading and educating people.
Most of them will stay in the Imperial College or be sent to local county schools with the status of "Xue Zheng" or "Jiao Yu".
Of course, outstanding people may be promoted after working for a few years. Generally, they are mainly local magistrates, county magistrates, etc. The better ones may be placed in positions such as general magistrate and state magistrate. As for those who want to stay in the six ministries, unless they are Special talents, otherwise there is basically no chance.
When Zhang Zhou appeared, the people present were actually very tired.
They didn't even know why there was this selection examination. They only knew that it was a temporary addition by the emperor.
Zhang Zhou came the last and sat in the corner. Unlike others, he at least did not need to bear too much pressure. These old Gongsheng students seemed to regard this selection as their last chance in life.
…
The previous selection was based on writing essays after the questions were asked, rather than answering them on the spot, so the level of knowledge could not be reflected. Therefore, in the final round, the questions were answered on the spot like the imperial examination, but there was no need to seal and copy the papers.
The title was written by Lin Han himself.
It's a matter of policy.
After the opening ceremony, Zhang Zhou sat in the corner and started writing.
Lin Han was patrolling the place and found that many of the Gongshengs were thinking, but the person in the corner who he cared about most was already writing furiously.
Lin Han walked over, not knowing what Zhang Zhou was writing, and said coldly: "Don't be too impatient when writing!"
Zhang Zhou raised his head and grinned at him.
When Lin Han saw Zhang Zhou's smile, he became angry and went back to his seat after walking around the field and sat down.
After less than half an hour, Zhang Zhou came over to hand in the paper.
"You!" Lin Han raised his head and glared at Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou shrugged, probably meaning, I'm done, I'm going to hand over the paper and leave!
Liu Chun, who was next to him, smiled and took Zhang Zhou's test paper. After seeing Zhang Zhou's title, his expression froze slightly, and then he just pressed the paper under the white paper.
Wait for Zhang Zhou to turn around and go out.
Lin Han wanted to go over and take a look at Zhang Zhou's paper, but Liu Chun stopped him.
Liu Chun whispered: "Mr. Lin, you are the examiner for today's exam, but the selection is done by the Hanlin Academy, as you know."
It means that although you come up with the questions, the quality of the test paper has nothing to do with you. That is a matter for the five of us in the Hanlin Academy. You should not get involved.
Lin Han said coldly: "Is it possible that I can't even look at it?"
"No!" Liu Chun seemed very principled.
Lin Han sighed and said nothing more.
…
…
After Zhang Zhou left the examination room, he left the Imperial Academy to listen to storytelling with Zhu Houzhao.
After collecting the papers here, Liu Chun and others will take the examination papers back to the Hanlin Academy for review.
Lin Han grabbed Liu Chun and said, "That Zhang Bingkuan paper..."
"We will be fair! And the decision-making power does not belong to me. We have to report it to Bachelor Cheng."
It means that although the five of us are the reviewers, the decision-making power seems to belong to Cheng Minzheng. It is possible that Cheng Minzheng does not have the right to decide. The person who proposes this matter is responsible, and it may be heard by heaven.
Lin Han almost said that I also want to participate in the marking.
But Liu Chun didn't give him any face, and seemed to be doing business in a business-like manner.
…
…
afternoon.
Cheng Minzheng received more than 50 examination papers that had been reviewed by five marking officers.
He opened the wooden box containing the examination papers and looked sideways at Xiao Jing, who was sitting on the side with a smile on his face, and he knew what was going on.
Then he took out the examination paper.
The most important share belongs to Zhang Zhou.
"Eunuch Xiao, you want Zhang Bingkuan's paper." Cheng Minzheng said.
"Really?" Xiao Jing became interested and leaned his head over to take a look.
But in the blank space on the side of the paper, the five marking officers of the Hanlin Academy all gave comments.
Because this paper was the most appreciated, all five marking officers rated it very highly, otherwise it would not have been placed at the top.
Cheng Minzheng said: "First."
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Let's just say that Mr. Zhang is very talented and learned. He passed the Yingtianfu Township Examination based on his ability. If it is just a tribute competition with a few people who have always failed to win the Jinshi, how can he not win the first place? Does Bachelor Cheng know how to write this memorial?"
Cheng Minzheng nodded helplessly and said: "I know. But I don't know how many people should be chosen besides the first place?"
"Just choose four or five people. Don't treat them too harshly. Report it to the Ministry of Civil Affairs later, or give them a magistrate or county magistrate. Just treat them kindly! I didn't expect it to be so easy. It seems that your majesty and our family are overly worried!"
Originally, he wanted to teach and receive in private, but Zhang Zhou easily won the first place in the examination of a group of old Gongsheng students.
The matter was resolved satisfactorily, Xiao Jing was very satisfied.
The next step is to report the matter, and if Zhang Zhou fails the examination in the coming year, he can be appointed to an official position.
Cheng Minzheng sighed: "If there is such a way, why should he take the imperial examination? If he does not win the Dingjia, it is better to be selected as a member of the Imperial Academy for review. It is better than spending three years in the imperial examination to be a common scholar, and also having to pass the imperial examination... well!"
(End of chapter)
