Under the afterglow of dusk, fourteen scholars from all over Wuyue stood up at the same time, facing Li Xuan who walked into the courtyard, they solemnly raised their hands and said: "I have met the king."
Li Xuan, wearing a blue double-breasted plaid robe, walked through the center of the fourteen Wuyue scholars, and then walked to the main seat on the eaves of the courtyard.
Li Xuan glanced at Li Bi and Yu Ze who were standing in the shadow of the door, nodded slightly, and then looked at everyone in the courtyard.
These fourteen Wu and Yue scholars will all take part in the scientific examination tomorrow, but it is hard to say how many will be able to take the exam.
Li Xuan waved her hand and said with a smile: "Everyone, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The scholars bowed their hands to Li Xuan again and sat down.
Li Xuan raised her head, and her gentle eyes swept over everyone present.
Each of them was wearing thick clothes. Although the temperature in the courtyard was a bit low, the warm stove, hot dishes and warm wine on the table made the atmosphere in the courtyard very relaxed.
"The weather is actually quite cold, right?" Li Xuan suddenly said something. Everyone present was slightly stunned, not understanding what Li Xuan meant.
Li Xuan smiled faintly, looked at everyone, and said calmly: "The reason why today's banquet is held in the cold courtyard is because when we arrive at the examination room, although the examination room is sheltered from wind and rain, the environment is really not much better, so you should prepare in advance I have to prepare myself mentally and get used to it tonight."
Everyone present suddenly became solemn and stood up and raised their hands to Li Xuan: "Thank you for your good intentions, Your Majesty. We will definitely be on the imperial list to repay Your Majesty for your kindness."
"Forget about generous rewards and so on. As far as I am concerned, if three or five of you can pass the Jinshi examination, it will be a blessing for me and all the families in Wuhang." Li Xuan waved her hand casually. Although most of the scholars came from ordinary families in Wuzhou and Hangzhou, even so, they were inextricably linked to those famous families.
Many of them are even descendants of prominent families.
The real direct descendants of everyone, such as Lai Qian, although he comes from Runzhou, his family is in Chang'an and there is no need to live in Li Xuan's mansion.
From the time they came to Beijing last September to now, most of those still staying in Prince Peng's Mansion are students who are really studying hard.
After all, in addition to providing them with three meals a day, Prince Peng's Mansion only provided them with accommodation, and even pen, ink, and paper required them to pay for it themselves.
Our direct descendants, who are used to extravagance and fun, simply can't bear this kind of hardship.
Li Xuan is very lucky. Although one or two of these people are former scholars, fortunately they are young and not frivolous. Or maybe they were scared of being hit by others in previous years, so they will settle down this time. Make up your mind to study really seriously.
Among these, in addition to He Zhizhang and Zhuge Minghui, there are also one or two who may pass the Jinshi examination.
But even if there are only one or two people, it is enough to tightly connect Li Xuan and the Wu Yue family.
…
Li Xuan waved his hand and asked everyone to sit down, and then said: "In this scientific examination, everyone is taking the Jinshi and Mingjing subjects. Master Yu has explained the content of the scientific examination to you in detail, and I have said everything that needs to be said. The rest is just improvisation for tomorrow.”
Li Xuan looked at the warm wine on the table. The courtyard was very quiet. He said in a deep voice: "Today, there are only three glasses of wine in the jug on the table in front of everyone... In the spring, the three suns are in full swing. After three glasses, , you all go back and have a good sleep. Tomorrow at 5:00, I will send someone to wake you up, and then go to the Chongxian Gate Civil Service Examination Hall. Whether you jump directly to the Dragon Gate or fight again next year, everything depends on you. of skill."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!" Everyone present stood up again and bowed gratefully to Li Xuan.
During the time they were in Prince Peng's Mansion, Li Xuan took care of them in every possible way, but there was basically no shortage of what they needed.
And from time to time, people from the Imperial College were found to give guidance, and they didn't have much time to spend on interpersonal relationships and submitting papers, and most of them were spent on reading.
Li Xuan once again motioned everyone to sit down, and then continued: "Everyone here, there are several people who are between passing and failing the exam. If you concentrate on your performance and don't think randomly, you may succeed in becoming a Jinshi, but if you are thinking It’s so messy, I’m afraid there won’t be much hope this spring, but that’s why, if you have any ideas, you might as well express your thoughts and write them all down in the test paper.”
Although Li Xuan said a lot, she was all talking about asking them to answer whatever thoughts they had in their minds as much as possible in the test paper.
"If one or two blind examiners can take a fancy to what you have written, maybe they can jump to the dragon gate." After Li Xuan finished speaking, she poured a glass of wine from the jug, and then saluted the courtyard. Many Wu and Yue scholars said in a deep voice: "For the imperial examination, you just have to do your best. If you don't succeed now, there will be another day, but I still wish you good luck in the next few days, win the title in the Toad Palace, and be named on the gold list. Dry!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your blessing!" Everyone present immediately raised their glasses and drank it down.
Li Xuan looked at the wine bottle on the table, picked it up and poured herself a glass. Then she looked at everyone and said, "This second glass needs to be tasted slowly. There is no water at this banquet, only the second glass of wine. Please drink slowly and be careful not to choke."
"Student, obey the order." Many scholars present saluted Li Xuan again.
There seems to be some other meaning in Li Xuan's words, let them think about it slowly.
Li Xuan picked up the chopsticks and took a casual bite. When he saw everyone starting to eat, he nodded with satisfaction.
Eat without talking, sleep without talking.
Everyone slowly finished eating all the food on their faces, and their stomachs were finally full.
Li Xuan put down the chopsticks in her hands. The plate in front of her was already empty.
After glancing at everyone, Li Xuan finally turned to look at He Zhizhang on the left: "Brother Ji Zhenxian, are everything ready for tomorrow?"
He Zhizhang didn't move much of the food in front of him. He had already put his chopsticks aside, as if he was waiting for Li Xuan to ask.
He Zhizhang faced Li Xuan, raised his hands and asked: "Your Majesty, if the students' scores in the scientific examination this time are not satisfactory, can they not be affected next time they come back?"
"It stands to reason that it is possible!" Li Xuan answered directly, and then said: "But if you are unlucky and meet the previous examiners, they may remember you specially. However, if you have the talent to be the top scholar, then naturally You can have nothing to worry about.”
It is not unheard of for him to retake the exam after passing the imperial examination in high school but not taking up his post.
It's just that since the Imperial Examination in the Tang Dynasty, there are indeed high school students who have retaken the exam once they are in high school, but their rankings in high school are not even as good as before.
Unless someone is the top pick, I will never hire someone who gives up high school and refuses to take up the position.
Of course, if you have the status of a top scholar, you can naturally be more arrogant and domineering.
But the premise is to avoid those villains.
He Zhizhang has the talent of being the number one scholar. Even if he does not take the scientific examination this time, he still has a chance to come back. However, if he takes the scientific examination and appears in front of everyone, if his ranking is not good, he will inevitably be jealous of people in the future. It's hard to say what the results will be in the exam.
Li Xuanrao looked at He Zhizhang with interest. Although the East China Sea King matter has been settled this time, He Zhizhang's future in the imperial examination is still dangerous.
In fact, if that incident had not happened, although he had the talent of being the top scholar, it would be difficult for him to get the top spot in this imperial examination.
Firstly, it is due to lack of experience, and secondly, time is not with me.
Nowadays, the imperial examinations of the Tang Dynasty are still dominated by aristocratic families. Even figures like Song Zhiwen, Liu Xiyi, and Shen Quanqi are not as good as Zheng Yi, who was born in the Zheng family of Xingyang.
He Zhizhang's era has not yet come.
He Zhizhang slowly raised his head, looked at Li Xuan, and said, "Your Majesty, Ji Zhen heard that during this war with Tubo, Your Majesty will go west. I wonder if I can take Jizhen with me?"
"Yes!" Li Xuan nodded directly without much hesitation.
He Zhizhang finally breathed a sigh of relief, raised his glass to Li Xuan, and said in a deep voice: "Thank you very much for taking care of the prince. I'm afraid Ji Zhen will have to trouble the prince even more in the future!"
"It's okay." Li Xuan waved her hand, raised her glass, nodded to He Zhizhang, then looked at the crowd and said, "Everyone, let's drink together."
"Drink together!"
…
"Dong dong dong!" A crisp sound of gongs sounded throughout the West Cross Courtyard, and the lights in each room quickly lit up.
Fourteen people, no one missing, no one missing, all present.
He Zhizhang stood at the head of the crowd, and beside him stood Zhuge Minghui, who was equally elegant.
Everyone was wearing blue uniforms and black hats, with serious expressions, and a trace of nervousness flashed deep in their eyes.
Li Xuan wore a crimson official robe. When she saw that everyone had packed up, she nodded and walked out.
At the entrance of the courtyard, the palace has prepared food and water bottles for everyone. However, these things are not for them to use now. They will wait until they arrive at the examination room to eat and drink during the intervening period. This reduction of toilet time can give them more time. Some question time.
The carriage was ready outside the door, and everyone got on the carriage.
Li Xuan was sitting in the front carriage. Beside him and opposite him were He Zhizhang and Zhuge Minghui.
There was no words all the way. When they arrived at Chongxian's door, He Zhizhang got out of the car first, followed by Zhuge Minghui. Li Xuan nodded slightly to Zhuge Minghui.
Zhuge Minghui, who was a little younger than Li Xuan, nodded in response, his expression full of determination.
Zhuge Minghui may be said to have the best performance among all the people in Prince Peng's palace.
Because he is the most well-known among the people in Chang'an except He Zhizhang.
It is also what Li Xuan hopes for most.
"Let's go back to Honglu Temple. There are still people waiting there." Li Xuan sighed softly. Envoys, nobles, and even businessmen's children from various countries in Beijing can have the right to study in the Imperial College after passing the Imperial Academy. Eligibility to participate in the imperial examination.
However, there are very few such foreigners, only about ten people, not even as many as the people living in Prince Li Xuan's palace.
As the Shaoqing of Honglu Temple in charge of the Host and Guest Department, Li Xuan was also responsible for sending these people to participate in the imperial examination.
These people had been arranged to live in the Honglu Temple Guest House a few days ago, not far from the examination room.
…
After sending everyone into the examination room, Li Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.
At this time, there were not many people in the square, and the examination room would be closed in a quarter of an hour.
Li Xuan was just going to visit Honglu Temple to take a short rest. After all, the scientific examination lasted a whole day.
At this moment, a carriage slowly stopped in front of Li Xuan.
Immediately, the car curtain was lifted, and Yang Jiong got out of the car first, followed closely by Song Zhiwen and King Luo Bin, who came to see Yang Jiong off for the examination.
Seeing Li Xuan, Yang Jiong was slightly startled, and then he immediately cupped his hands to Li Xuan and said, "I have met the prince."
"Mr. Lingming, there is no need to be polite. The time is urgent. Please come in, sir." At this time, Li Xuan did not dare to drag Yang Jiong to say anything and quickly let him into the examination room.
Yang Jiong smiled relaxedly, then raised his hands to Li Xuan, turned around and entered the examination room.
Although the imperial examination and the imperial examination are in the same examination room, they are completely different.
Li Xuan turned to look at Song Zhiwen and King Luo Bin, gently cupped his hands and said, "I've met these two gentlemen."
"I've met the prince!"
"You two, it's almost time to go on duty. I will take my leave now."
"Farewell, Your Majesty." Song Zhiwen and King Luo Bin immediately bowed to see him off.
While lowering his head, King Luo Bin suddenly raised his eyes to look at Li Xuan, his eyes already filled with strong murderous intent.
However, when he looked up, he saw Li Xuan staring at him with cold eyes.
He said that this time, the King of East China Sea must die, so he must die.
Sorry, this chapter was actually set to August 5th. Fortunately, I found it in time.
I still don’t understand why the date in front of the 9:30 post set at 9:15 today automatically becomes August 5th.
(End of chapter)
