One night passed, and Li Chouxin woke up in the warm morning light.
But when he heard Zhang Xiaopan shouting outside, Li Chouxin hurriedly walked out of the room, only to see two people, Qin Yin and Sai Yu, standing next to Zhang Xiaopan, comforting him.
"Brother Pei! Brother Pei! Even if you don't want Xiao Peng to go with you, you can't leave without saying goodbye!"
Li Chouxin walked up, patted Zhang Xiaopan on the shoulder and said: "Xiaopan, you have to understand your brother Pei's good intentions. The reason why he is like this is all for you. Now that he has no distracting thoughts and no fetters, let him Let him go! You should calm down, as long as you make a name for yourself in this world, your brother Pei will be able to know about you even if he is at the end of the world. "
"Master, actually, my disciple has been thinking about it all night and has already planned to practice with his master. I wanted to say goodbye to Brother Pei, but I didn't expect that Brother Pei left quietly."
Li Chouxin heard Zhang Xiaopan's words and lamented that things in the world are nothing more than this. He missed the thoughts in a hurry before he could express them, which only added to his regrets.
Seeing Zhang Xiaopan holding a letter in his hand, Li Chouxin asked again: "Xiaopan, your brother Pei didn't leave without saying goodbye. I didn't leave you a letter. Let's take a look at what's written in it."
Zhang Xiaopan was only looking for Pei Chen, but forgot about the letter left by Pei Chen, so he opened it in a hurry.
Letter: Xiao Pan, after reading this letter, Pei Chen has left Kyoto and is at home in the world. Pei Chen has already gone looking for him. I hope Xiao Pan will not be distracted in his pursuit. Brother Chou Xin is truly a good teacher and friend. From now on, follow him, don't be half-hearted, and practice with all your heart. One day, Pei will definitely hear your chivalrous name again somewhere in the ends of the earth. Please keep your past kindness in your heart and don't think about it. "
After reading this letter, Zhang Xiaopan shed tears, but he also accepted the fact that Pei Chen left, but he still felt a little regretful that he didn't have time to express what was in his heart.
"Master, I will devote myself to cultivation in the future. Please also ask Master to teach me some culture! Xiao Pan is determined to be a person like Master."
Li Chouxin said happily: "Since you are my disciple, it is my duty to teach you, but there is already Li Chouxin in the world, you just need to be yourself Zhang Xiaopan."
Zhang Xiaopan nodded and fell into deep thought thinking about what Li Chouxin said about becoming Zhang Xiaopan.
Qin Yin said at this time: "Brother Chou Xin, the weather is sunny today, why don't we go out for a walk. Since coming to Kyoto, we haven't had a good go out."
"That's right, I have been preparing to save people before and never had the chance to go out and appreciate the style of Kyoto. Brother Chouxin, please agree." Seyu also said.
Li Chou thought for a while and realized that he had really not taken many people out since arriving in Xijing, so he agreed, which was just a way to soothe Zhang Xiaopan's uncomfortable mood.
A few people walked out of the courtyard and headed towards the bustling streets of Xijing.
Xijing is indeed much more lively than other places. The things sold on the street are much richer than other places. Whether it is entertainment, food, or daily necessities, several people are in a better mood when walking on the street. A lot.
Zhang Xiaopan also seemed to come out of the shadow of loss and said: "Master and Master, Xiaopan has never given you any gifts since I followed you. Why don't you take it upon yourself today and buy one or two gifts for Master and Master?" .”
The three of them looked at Zhang Xiaopan's serious look and didn't say anything, just nodded.
Zhang Xiaopan walked to the noodle puppet stall nearby, and after choosing three noodle dolls, he took out the few coins he had from his pocket, took the three noodle dolls in his hand, and handed them to Li Chouxin and Qinyin Seyu respectively.
The three of them received Zhang Xiaopan's gift and were filled with emotion.
However, the three of them became more familiar with each other over the course of the day, and Zhang Xiaopan gradually came out of his depression.
The three of them walked around for a whole day without feeling tired at all. They even had a few drinks when they returned to the courtyard.
Just as several people were drinking happily, there was a sudden knock on the door.
Everyone was wondering, now that Pei Chen has left, who would know about this place?
Hearing that the knock on the door was not urgent, Li Chouxin signaled Zhang Xiaopan to go and open the door.
As soon as the door opened, several people were confused.
I saw only one person standing outside the door, with several tall horses behind him. The man in front of the door was dressed in dark purple clothes. His face was clean and tidy, and he didn't look like a man at all. He didn't even see any stubble. He held a yellow scroll in his hand. , then stood at the door with an unhappy look on his face.
As soon as the door opened, the man made a male-female voice and said: "The imperial edict has arrived, Li Chouxin will accept it!"
When several people in the courtyard heard this, they were all surprised. Even though they had become a wanted target a few days ago, why was there an imperial edict coming here at this time? However, they seemed to have no ill intentions, and they still knelt down respectfully towards the visitor.
The Yin-Yang man came in, slowly opened the scroll in his hand, and loudly declared: "By the fate of heaven, the emperor decreed that Li Chouxin has outstanding literary talent and superb martial arts. He is truly a talent of our court. Today, the court appoints people based on their talents. He is favored by the emperor and has special orders." Li Chouxin will go to the palace tomorrow to meet the Holy Spirit and then make a decision. I admire this!"
After hearing this, Li Chouxin looked at the man with curiosity.
Seeing that Li Chouxin was still kneeling on the ground, the man didn't know why, and said, "Li Chouxin, it's not long to accept the order and receive His Majesty's favor. This is a blessing you have cultivated in several lifetimes."
Li Chouxin then stood up to carry out the imperial edict and asked, "I dare to ask my father-in-law. Chouxin knows that he has not made any extraordinary achievements. Why is Your Majesty so favoring you?"
The eunuch who delivered the order said nothing, his face full of disdain.
Qinyin saw the clues and took out a piece of silver and put it in the eunuch's hand and said: "Father-in-law, the emperor has favored me. Please let me know so that my son can live up to the divine grace tomorrow."
When the eunuch saw a piece of silver, his eyes shone brightly. After taking the silver, he quickly put it into his long sleeve and said slowly: "Our family is the head of the internal affairs of the imperial family. I am here to deliver the order under your majesty's order. But the reason for this is Our family has no way of knowing, but we have heard something. It seems to be related to Dr. Huixiangong and the Crown Prince. It seems that Lord He said something in front of the Holy Master, and His Majesty issued the decree. There is no other way to know, please. Mr. Li will go on time tomorrow, don't miss it."
Hearing what the eunuch said, Li Chouxin felt relieved. If it was He Yuanjun who gave the advice, there would be no doubt about it. It must have been Brother He who recommended it in front of His Majesty, which led to such a result. Then he smiled on his face and looked towards The eunuch said.
"I dare to ask my father-in-law for his name. I will rely on my father-in-law more in the future." After speaking, Li Chouxin took out a banknote from his arms and handed it to the eunuch.
The eunuch smiled with a smile on his face, thinking that Li Chouxin could be regarded as a man of the Tao, and said: "Our family's surname is Zheng, and the Holy Master calls our family Little Zhengzi. All your lords call us Eunuch Zheng, and Gongzi Chouxin calls us like this." Just stay at our house.”
Li Chouxin said: "Thank you very much, Eunuch Zheng, for your guidance. Please take care of Eunuch Zheng in the future."
Eunuch Zheng also said: "We think Mr. Chouxin is an unusual person. From now on, whenever you need our family, please make it clear that we have some unfinished business today, so we will leave now and see you at the Jinluan Palace tomorrow."
After a burst of compliments, Eunuch Zheng left the yard.
Qinyin said at this time: "Who is this Master He? Can he be trusted?"
Li Chouxin saw Qin Yin Seyu's worried look and said, "Since I am Brother He, this matter should be fine."
A few people talked for a while and then went back to their houses to sleep.
The next day, Li Chou got up before dawn and prepared to attack Mian Sheng. Although he didn't know what happened, he had a hunch that it was definitely not a bad thing.
Putting on dignified and decent clothes, he headed towards the Xijing Imperial City.
Although there were inevitably guards blocking the way in front of the palace gate, no one stopped Li Chouxin after he announced his name or presented the imperial edict.
In the Jinluan Hall, courtiers lined up on both sides, waiting for Emperor Li Zhun to go to court.
After the familiar Holy Seal's announcement, Emperor Li Zhun was already sitting on the dragon throne.
After the courtiers made remarks, Eunuch Zheng suddenly called out of the palace: "Xuan Li Chou is here to pay his respects."
Li Chouxin walked in from outside the palace door and knelt in front of the palace.
Emperor Li Zhun saw Li Chouxin showing off his talents and said: "Ping Shen!"
Li Chouxin was also direct and asked the emperor: "Chouxin is a commoner, why did your Majesty summon the common people?"
However, the emperor smiled and said: "I heard that Chou Xin is a man of extraordinary literary talent. I have always cherished talents, and you were recommended by Mr. He, Xu Sanqiu, Luo Dafu and other beloved ministers, so I called you into the palace. If you are a talented person, I will definitely put him to good use." "
But Li Chouxin said: "Thanks to His Majesty's grace, Chouxin is just a wanderer in the world. He only praises his name because of the praise of others. Now that he has been summoned by Your Majesty, I am really frightened and dare not be complacent."
Li Zhun saw that Li Chou was so humble and said, "You don't have to be so worried. I heard that you are free and uninhibited. You don't have to lose your nature at this time. You are as boring as these civil and military officials."
When Li Chou heard what the Holy Master said, he was still a little cautious and said: "Your Majesty's words are polite, but when Chou's heart turns white, he should not lose the courtesy of a monarch and his ministers at this time."
But what the courtiers and Li Chou didn't expect was that Emperor Li Zhun actually said: "This is easy to handle. I will give you an official position. Since you are recommended by Mr. He and the two beloved ministers, you are certainly a talented person. I heard "Chou Xin, your poetic talent is amazing, so I will grant you the title of always being in front of the emperor. You will have no authority and enjoy the treatment of the third rank. You can only write poems and essays to illustrate the outline of the court and provide me with entertainment."
When Li Chou heard this, he was delighted. The emperor's favor made his dream of an official career come true. He didn't have to worry about hard work. He only had to focus on his own abilities and serve the emperor well. The emperor was always in the same position, and he was afraid that he would be a civil servant. The official wanted to get the position but could not get it, so he knelt down towards the dragon throne again and said: "Thank you for your grace, I will do my best to serve your majesty."
Some people in the court were not happy. Chen Ju, the Minister of Civil Affairs, said: "Your Majesty, think twice. Li Chou was a wanted criminal a few days ago, and you all only heard about it through hearsay. If you reward him rashly, I'm afraid it will chill the hearts of the world's scholars. "
Li Zhun looked displeased when he heard what the Minister of Civil Affairs said, and was about to say something.
Prime Minister Li Changji also said: "What Mr. Chen said is true. I hope your Majesty will think twice."
Seeing Li Changji's advice, all officials also agreed.
At this time, Li Zhun was already angry.
However, He Yuanjun stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I have served the court for half my life and have never recommended anyone. Now that I have recommended him, this Li Chouxin is definitely not someone who is unlearned and has no skills in order to gain fame and reputation. I hope your Majesty will understand clearly."
When the emperor was in trouble, Fu Yibo, who claimed to be the top scholar in science and literature today, also stood up and said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Chen is right. If you think about the world's literary talents, you can only find an official position through scientific examination. If you rashly canonize , but there is something wrong, but there have been palace examinations since ancient times. If this Li Chouxin can pass the test in front of His Majesty and all the officials, everyone will surely obey. If this Li Chouxin is a person who is just trying to gain fame, I hope your Majesty will punish him severely."
After listening to Fu Yibo's words, Li Zhun nodded, and then asked Li Chouxin, "I wonder what Chouxin thinks?"
Li Chou paused and said, "It's all up to Your Majesty."
Although Liu Chouxin was not in the officialdom, he played the tricks of the officialdom clearly. In a few words, he threw the problem to the emperor Li Zhun.
Li Zhun naturally followed the trend and said: "My dear friends, since almost all of you have objections, how about testing Li Chouxin in front of you according to what you all said? But how should this test be conducted?"
Li Zhun had just finished speaking, but the courtiers who had objected just now looked at each other, not knowing how to proceed.
At this time, Eunuch Zheng, who had received the money, bowed in front of Li Zhun and said: "Your Majesty, I think it would be difficult to convince the public if you are the only one who comes up with questions, so why not divide the test into three rounds? The first question Your Majesty will set the questions, and the second and third rounds will be set by all your lords. If Mr. Li can win both, it means he is truly talented and knowledgeable. If Mr. Li can't, how about your Majesty punishing him again?"
When Eunuch Zheng said this, the emperor's eyes lit up, and all the ministers also felt that this method was feasible, and they all agreed.
Li Zhun was very satisfied and said: "Little Zhengzi, I didn't expect you to be able to solve my problems. I really didn't support you in vain. I will go to the Internal Affairs Office to collect the reward in a while. Li Chouxin, what do you think?"
Li Chouxin looked at Eunuch Zheng and thought that although the old eunuch was cunning, this method was feasible. He replied: "Your Majesty, Chouxin is willing to obey the arrangement."
Li Zhun said: "In that case, let's ask the ministers to discuss how to set the questions! After the discussion, we will conduct the test in front of the palace."
After Li Zhun finished speaking, the solemn atmosphere in the Jinluan Hall changed from the past. The ministers gathered together to discuss. Only He Yuanjun walked up to Li Chouxin and asked: "Brother Chouxin, please don't let me down." Na."
Li Chouxin smiled at He Yuanjun and said, "It's okay, Brother He, don't worry. If Chouxin can succeed today, how about getting drunk again today?"
Seeing Li Chou's determination to win, He Yuanjun was very satisfied and said: "That's very good, then it's settled. We will go to my house later, you and I can talk about it, and we can have a drink tonight."
Li Chouxin said calmly: "Follow your orders!"
At this time, the court hall also became quiet, and the ministers also finished their discussions and decided on the test questions.
But since it was said that the emperor would ask a question first, everyone asked Li Zhun to ask the question first.
The emperor is the emperor, and the questions asked are not ordinary.
Li Zhun looked at Li Chouxin and said, "If there is a drought in our country and hundreds of thousands of people lose their harvest, how should Chouxin respond?"
Li Chou thought to himself that this emperor was indeed unusual. Even if he asked questions, he was not like ordinary emperors. He actually cared about people's livelihood, so he replied: "In all disasters, although disaster relief is the most important thing, corruption is often easy to occur, and it is difficult for the people to understand it." Need, I believe that if you want to provide disaster relief, you must first select officials. If an official is good, the people will be happy, and if an official is traitorous, the people will suffer. Only the selected officials can understand the suffering of the people, and can they relieve the suffering of the people. Otherwise, no matter how much disaster relief is allocated, Money cannot benefit the people; secondly, although disaster relief is necessary, it can only solve the immediate needs. If you want to completely solve the disaster, you have to eliminate one of the problems and find another way. The only way is to let the people come out of the disaster and then guide the people. Only by finding other life-saving ways can the people's danger be relieved with the help of the people."
After listening, everyone nodded, thinking that what Li Chouxin said was very reasonable, and Li Zhun was also very satisfied and said: "I didn't expect that although you are not an official, Li Chouxin, you see everything so clearly. In my case, this question will be considered passed." Okay, I don’t know what your beloved ones think?”
Seeing the emperor saying this, all the ministers agreed without any disobedience.
The emperor continued: "In this case, the subsequent test will be left to everyone.
At this time, Fu Yibo, the top literary scholar, stood up and said: "Master Li, everyone said that you have great literary talent. After everyone's discussion, I will make a couplet below. If you can match it, I will consider you to have passed the next test."
Li Chouxin said modestly: "Then I'll ask Mr. Fu to come up with the question."
Fu Yibo saw Li Chouxin's humble look and thought that Li Chouxin would definitely not be able to answer this extremely difficult couplet, so he said: "Paint a lotus and monk painting."
As soon as this couplet came out, the ministers all showed smiles of success. They thought that this couplet was related and homophonic. It had the same pronunciation whether it was read forward or backward. For decades, no one could match it. This couplet also announced Li Chouxin's end.
Seeing that Li Chouxin was still silent, Fu Yibo mocked: "Is it true that Mr. Chouxin is uneducated? Can't you answer such a simple couplet?"
Everyone on the side also agreed, Emperor Li Zhun also looked at Li Chouxin, and although He Yuanjun was said to be the doctor of Huixian Palace, he frowned when he heard this couplet.
But Li Chouxin smiled at Fu Yibo and replied: "The book is written in Chinese characters Hanlin Shu."
Just after Li Chouxin finished speaking, Emperor Li Zhunlong looked overjoyed, and He Yuanjun, who was frowning, also nodded with satisfaction. Only the minister who was proud just now changed his appearance and frowned.
"Master Fu, I wonder what this couplet with my sorrowful heart is like?"
Before Fu Yibo could speak, He Yuanjun said: "This couplet of sorrow and heart is neatly contrasted and the artistic conception is fully integrated. Other than that, there is probably no other couplet that can match it."
As soon as He Yuanjun said these words, the faces of the ministers became even more ugly. Fu Yibo also borrowed the opportunity to say: "Young Master Chouxin is really quick in thinking. He can actually come up with such an exquisite second couplet. I admire you. But there is only one last round. I don't know." How should a worried young master deal with this?"
As soon as these words came out, the test results of the couplet were naturally self-evident.
The prime minister stood up at this time and said: "These couplets are nothing. Lao Chan wrote a poem many years ago. If you can write a poem with the same theme that surpasses Lao Chan, even if His Majesty makes you the Taifu Lao Chan, it will not matter." Nothing to say."
After hearing what Prime Minister Li Changji said, everyone was surprised.
"Is it the famous frontier fortress poem? That is the Prime Minister's famous work. Even the younger generation later, no one can surpass it. If this poem is sacrificed at this time, I am afraid that no matter how talented Li Chouxin is, he will never be able to recognize people. There will be nothing you can do."
Emperor Li Zhun also looked at Li Chouxin expectantly, but He Yuanjun was a little worried. After all, this poem is truly a contemporary masterpiece and difficult to surpass.
At this time Li Changji chanted:
Guanshan Wanli Road,
A thousand-year cycle.
General Yi changed his surname,
The territory is still intact.
"Sure enough, the poem written by the Prime Minister is indeed this one. Let's see how Li Chouxin responds." Someone said on the side.
However, Li Chouxin remembered the song when she met Luo Dafu in Eling. Although she didn't think it was very good, it should be better than this one, so she chanted:
The blood of hundreds of battles on the battlefield melts into the snow,
The spear is still strong and the iron clothes are decayed.
He drove straight to kill all the Xiongnu generals.
Under the moon, he rode his wounded horse back home.
Li Chouxin recited this poem in a moment, which made all the ministers shocked again and couldn't believe it.
"How is it possible that in just a short period of time, Li Chouxin could write this poem? Whether it is artistic conception or tragic level, it far exceeds the Prime Minister's poem. It is simply unbelievable."
"Yes, it's so surprising. This poem is definitely better than the Prime Minister's."
"..."
Li Changji's face was extremely ugly at this time. When the emperor saw this, he stopped the discussion in time and said: "Chou Xin is really amazing in literary talent. This poem can make people's blood rush. It is on par with the Prime Minister's poems. This level can be considered passed, I wonder what the Prime Minister wants?"
Li Changji knew that this was the step given to him by the emperor, so he said: "Young Master Chouxin is indeed a man of extraordinary literary talent. I admire him, so I think I have passed this test."
Seeing what the prime minister said, all the officials also started to compliment Li Chouxin.
The emperor said at this time: "Then the court meeting will be here today. I have known this person for a long time. From now on, I will always be in front of the emperor. Do you have any objections?"
"Your Majesty is wise!" All the ministers said in unison.
The court meeting also ended. He Yuanjun took Li Chou and was very excited. As he said that, he walked out of the Jinluan Palace and went to his house, completely ignoring the people talking on the side.
