"Look, that's the top scholar in Jinke, what a handsome young man!"
In the corridor in the distance, many palace maids were looking around excitedly, pointing towards Wei Chen, and their whispers could still be vaguely heard.
When Wei Chen saw this scene, he just smiled indifferently, turned around and continued to congratulate each other with his classmates.
Since the Tang Dynasty, there has been a fixed program after the palace examination, which is to worship Huang Jia.
Huangjia is the yellow list that records the names of Jinshi, and worshiping Huangjia means that people in the same year are brothers.
There has always been a very close relationship between people who are in the same year during scientific examinations. It is normal to stay together and support each other. This is especially true for those who are Jinshi in the same year.
After entering the officialdom, these Jinshi in the same year would hold gatherings from time to time to keep in touch with each other.
Although Wei Chen is young, he is the number one scholar, and he is an unprecedented sixth grader, so naturally he is the leader by default in this year.
These three hundred new scholars come from all over the world, with different talents, knowledge, character, and political ambitions. They are only united out of the instinct to stick together for warmth. Of course, they cannot unconditionally follow Wei Chen's lead.
However, it is undeniable that Wei Chen, as the number one scholar, naturally has great influence in the small circle in the sixth year of Tianyou.
This is enough for Wei Chen.
Wei Chen didn't expect to use all of these people in the same year for his own use. He just needed them to build up momentum for himself at the right time.
Wei Chen's real confidants are like-minded Jingxi Club members such as Sheng Changbai and Wang Yaochen.
In the corridor of Chongzheng Hall, after Wei Chen and others of the same age talked animatedly for a while, an official from Honglu Temple came over and said with a smile: "Everyone, after changing your clothes, follow me to the hall. Thank God!"
After hearing this, all the Jinshi quickly said yes. Wei Chen, Li Zuochang, and Cai Xuan were in the lead, and Sheng Changbai led the other seven people behind and returned to the palace.
Wherever the group of people went, the palace maids and chamberlains who were whispering just now all avoided the roadside and bowed their heads to see them off.
The golden list is passed down in the Jade Palace, and you are gifted with a head.
Three hundred generations of heroes follow me on our journey to Yingzhou.
Although it had been less than half an hour since he left the Chongzheng Hall, Wei Chen almost felt as if he was in another world when he came back and opened the bead curtain and saw the emperor on the throne.
At this time, Zhao Zhen's expression was no longer as solemn as before, and even had a bit of a smile. He said to the ministers on his left and right as if gossiping: "Although my champion is young, fortunately he is tall and has broad shoulders and a straight back." , this robe actually fits you very well."
Lu Zongdai on the side smiled and said: "What your Majesty said is absolutely true. Although the number one scholar is Shi Zongyinshi, he already looks like he is an official."
"Since the imperial examination was launched in Zhou Dynasty, only Mr. Li Mengjian passed the third grade. Emperor Taizong praised him as an important minister of the country. I have always admired him. Now I also have a minister of Wei!"
The more Zhao Zhen looked at Wei Chen, the more satisfied he became. He couldn't help but feel very happy, and asked loudly: "You are not even the weakest, but you are already the top of the six rankings. Everyone in the world admires your talent and literary thoughts. Today, you are the leader in the world." , do you have any good words to encourage the scholars of the world?"
Wei Chen lowered his head and said, "I grew up in a poor family, and lost both my parents. If I talk about good advice, I only know that the thin land is planted with pines and cypresses, and the poor family is studying."
The land is thin and pines and cypresses are planted, and the poor family is studying. These two short poems express the thoughts of thousands of scholars in the world.
The civil servants in the Chongzheng Palace all felt the same way when they recalled the memory of their heads hanging from beams and cones pricking their buttocks in the cold days of the past.
Even Han Zhang, who had always been polite to Wei Chen, was emotionally affected by these two poems, and his eyes towards Wei Chen seemed to soften a bit.
Han Zhang came from a poor family and was raised by his mother since he was a child. He went through countless hardships and obstacles before he achieved the glory of being a nobleman today.
It can be said that these two poems recited by Wei Chen are simply the most realistic portrayal of Han Zhang's life.
"Heaven is about to entrust this person with a great responsibility, and he must first work hard on his mind and body. Qing Wei is the leader of the world today, which is enough to comfort the spirits of my late father and mother in heaven."
On the throne, Zhao Zhen comforted Wei Chen softly, and then looked at Han Zhang at the foot of the stairs: "I would like to give Wei Qing the title of fifth-rank imperial court official to encourage him to work hard and work hard. What do the Qing family think?"
Han Zhang was startled for a moment, then bowed and said: "To commend the number one scholar is to show the world's intention to encourage learning. This is your majesty's benevolent act, and I think it is acceptable."
Zhao Zhen was a little surprised when he heard that Han Zhang didn't raise any objections. After looking at Han Zhang, he nodded thoughtfully and said loudly: "Draft the decree!"
After receiving the order, Zhongshu Sheren went to the palace to prepare the edict. Not long after, he read out: "By the fate of heaven, the emperor has decreed that in a family of loyalty and filial piety, the court motto has been memorized for a long time... I hereby express my kindness to you as a gift to the court." Doctor Yi..., thank you!"
Wei Chen was also pleasantly surprised when he heard the imperial edict was read out. Although this fifth-grade court official was a casual official with only an official position but no duties, it was a great honor for him, a new scholar.
Wei Chen was about to bow down to express his gratitude, but Zhao Zhen was still unfinished, and said to the chief chamberlain beside him: "I will also give Wei Qing a pair of the Four Treasures of the Study, two chapters on university, a pair of golden flowers, and one hundred thousand dollars!"
"Your kindness is profound!"
Seeing this scene, all the officials in the palace sighed sincerely. It seemed that Wei Chen was already in the emperor's heart.
After Wei Chen received the order and thanked him, he led the top ten candidates out of the Chongzheng Palace, came to the square in front of the palace, and joined the queue of new scholars.
The three hundred new scholars standing in the square faced the Chongzheng Hall. Under the guidance of Wei Chen, they once again bowed to the throne in the hall and shouted long live the mountain.
At this time, the Huang Zhong Da Lu Qi Ming in the Chongzheng Palace, Zhao Zhen stood up from the throne and handed the Huang Bang to Han Zhang, the chief assistant. Han Zhang took it and handed it to Liu Tingxi, a Hanlin scholar.
"Give me a list!"
Liu Tingxi shouted loudly, then walked out of Chongzheng Hall holding the yellow list in hand, walked down the steps to the square.
The crowd in front of him separated like waves. Wei Chen was the first to turn around and follow Liu Tingxi, followed by three hundred Jinshi.
Surrounded by ceremonial guards and drums, the group arrived outside Xuande Gate. Tang Mi, the prefect of Kaifeng, was already waiting on the royal road in the center of the gate tower. On the left and right were Kaifeng government officials.
Tang Mi presented a hairpin to a group of new scholars. It was a golden flower tied with gold wire and red and green silk. It was made by a famous palace craftsman. The workmanship was so exquisite that even the core of the flower was clearly visible.
After all the Jinshi got their hairpins, a group of grooms led the horses to the square. Tang Mi took out the most handsome horse among them, holding the reins in one hand and the whip in the other, and came to Wei Chen's side.
"Please mount your horse, Master Zhuangyuan!"
Wei Chen thanked him, stepped on the mounting stone, got on his horse, and rode towards the Xuande Gate. The other Jinshi also got on their horses and followed Wei Chen.
At the head was the imperial army responsible for clearing the way, followed by a group of honor guards, a group of advocates to follow, followed by three hundred new scholars led by Wei Chen, and after that, hundreds of knights responsible for guarding.
A team of thousands of people left Xuandemen in a mighty manner, went south along the Imperial Road, turned westward in front of Zhouqiao, exited Xinzhengmen, and arrived at Jinmingchi outside the city. The destination of this trip, Qionglin Garden, was By the Jinming Pool.
At this time, there was already a sea of people outside the imperial city. The streets of Bianjing City were deserted today. Men, women, old and young rushed to the streets to admire the elegance of the new Jinshi.
This road is the imperial street to praise officials.
