Li Hao felt a little strange when he heard that the matter was shelved so lightly. So he asked: "What exactly were discussed in this morning's meeting?"
Yan Fu said: "Today's morning meeting is mainly about two things. The first is the posthumous title of Grand Master Du. In the court hall, His Majesty asked all the ministers to discuss it, and finally confirmed that the posthumous title is the official present, and it is presented to Situ and Shizhong. The second is the posthumous title. Talking about the examination, Lu Jie, the imperial censor, accused Ouyang Xueshi and other examiners in court of being partial to others, appointing private persons, forming cliques for personal gain, disregarding the fairness of the imperial examinations, and ruining the country and the country for their own preferences. And then there are the five of you. The crime is said to be that Academician Ouyang deliberately violated the law, made friends, and attacked dissidents."
Zeng Gong first answered: "Those who are knowledgeable and capable are called Xian; those who are kind and virtuous are called Xian; those who are smart and wise are called Xian; those who are accomplished in literature are called Xian; those who have learned the ancient precepts are called Xian; those who have good intelligence and temperament are called Xian. Those who are innocent and keep pure are called Zheng; those who are righteous and forget about death for the sake of the country are called Zheng; those who are on the straight path and are unyielding are called Zheng; those who have no deviation in heart are called Zheng; those who keep the path unswervingly are called Zheng. They are all Zheng posthumous names, good words."
After hearing this, Li Hao said depressedly: "Senior Brother Zeng is off topic." Then he asked Yan Fu: "The examination requires sealing, transcribing, and proofreading before it is handed over to the examiner. How do they say that Mr. Ouyang knows which one is ours?" Here’s the answer sheet.”
"That's the problem. They say Master Ouyang can even recognize Liu Ji's examination papers just by his writing style. You have studied with Master Ouyang for many days, and still can't you recognize your papers?" Yan Fu said.
Li Hao was stunned after hearing this. This statement sounded really reasonable. In the final analysis, Bachelor Ouyang went too far during the grading process and was blamed for nothing. Li Hao asked again: "What happens next?"
Yan Fu then went on to talk about the events of the early court: "What else can be done? As soon as Lu Jie opened his mouth, Wang Gui, Jiang Zhiqi and other officials from Taijian came out one after another, demanding heavy punishments for several examiners and re-examination."
Of course, Academician Ouyang couldn't agree, so he went out to defend himself and denounced the shortcomings of the imperial examination today, saying: "Articles convey the Tao, and Tao is the way of saints, the way of nature, the way of all things, and the way of all living beings. We, That is to say, I am willing to use the sage's teachings I have learned to contribute to the country. The purpose of writing articles is to present the joys and sufferings of the people before the emperor's case. To spread the sage's teachings and the emperor's instructions to the world, to rectify the world, eliminate doubts, and calm the people's hearts. However, today's literary world, However, a strange and sinister style of writing prevails, which cannot be understood except by scholars who have learned a lot over the years. In this way, the most important function of the article has been lost. Now I am Nei Han. At this time, when I am collecting materials for the country, what crime can I do to eliminate this shortcoming for the country? have."
"As for saying that I formed a clique for personal gain and recruited middle school students and disciples, it is even more nonsense. I don't avoid enemies when I am promoted externally, and I don't avoid relatives when I am promoted internally. Is it possible that I deliberately refuse to recruit talented people just because they are my disciples? Doesn't this defeat the original purpose of recruiting candidates for the imperial examination? .”
As soon as these words came out, the officials praised him. Then, helpless, Lu Jie said again: "This is your family's opinion after all. If you want to prove your innocence, you should follow Taizu's old practice and select everyone from among the failed scholars to participate in the palace examination to see if they are really mediocre."
However, in the end, the official denied the matter and said, "It is said that this is the reason why I took the palace examination. There is no need to do anything more. It only depends on the talent and learning of the scholars in this class. If there are people who are cheating, they will be punished later." Not too late."
"But in the end, we decided to conduct the palace examination as early as possible. I want to complete the matter as soon as possible. The palace examination time is set for March 15th, and the results should be announced soon."
Li Hao said: "We only gave two days' notice in advance. We are so anxious to get the matter settled. It seems that the officials don't want this matter to get further complicated."
Yan Fu said: "Yes, but in this examination, your articles must not be bad, otherwise people will inevitably find excuses to criticize Bachelor Ouyang."
Li Hao smiled and said: "For this, I think it is a good thing now.
Yan Fu asked in confusion, "Why?" The Zeng brothers also looked at Li Hao.
Li Hao explained with a smile: "Because this matter has been brought to court, there are rumors everywhere. Looking at the official's current intentions, it is obvious that they believe and support Bachelor Ouyang. In that case, in order to calm the turmoil and express gratitude to Ouyang With the support of the bachelor, as long as our articles are good, they may even intentionally raise our rankings as a show of favor. Do you think this is a good thing?"
After everyone heard this, they thought that this could really happen. Yan Fu immediately said: "Junior brother, it seems that you are quite suitable to be an official. I don't know how many eyes there are in my heart." Then everyone laughed, sweeping away the indulgence of the previous days.
Sure enough, a notice was issued on the same day, and then the police officers all over the city notified the students of the mid-term examination to participate in the joint examination, and those imperial students who had participated in the series were recalled by the Imperial Academy's wine ministers and were prohibited from going out to participate in the series. After the court meeting, the dignitaries of various families in Beijing also retrieved their children so that they would no longer cause trouble. Without these two groups of people, the remaining members of the poor family who had been dragged in naturally did not dare to do anything anymore. As a result, the external turmoil was temporarily calmed down.
Everyone was waiting for the results of the palace examination, and just when everyone was watching, the palace examination came.
Early in the morning, the successful candidates began to slowly gather outside the palace gate. When Li Hao and the Zeng brothers arrived, Sheng Changbai had also arrived. After everyone gathered and chatted for a few words, they saw an eunuch coming from the palace. , taught the scholars the rules and etiquette when entering the palace, and asked everyone to stand in two rows according to their order, with Huiyuan leading the group at the front.
At this time, on the other side, hundreds of officials from the previous court were waiting in queue to enter the palace. Among them, Li Hao noticed that Bachelor Ouyang was standing very forward on the civil servant side, while Sheng Hong was basically standing at the back.
Of course, not only the scholars were looking at the line of officials at this time, but also many people in the line of officials were looking at the scholars with interest, not knowing what they were thinking. Li Hao, on the other hand, paid special attention to Sheng Hong, just by the way he pretended not to look away.
At the Mao hour, all the officials will go to court, and the scholars will have to wait to be summoned from the harem before entering the palace.
Around the time of Chen, the palace door finally opened, and the small yellow gates filed out. The decree was announced and all the tributes entered the palace and went to Chongzheng Hall. Under the leadership of the small yellow gates, everyone filed into the palace gate in an orderly manner.
After entering the palace gate, Li Hao found that although the palace was not as grand and generous as the Forbidden City, it looked exquisite and graceful, like a fairyland. Everyone came into the palace from Xuande Gate through Xiaohuang Gate. As soon as they saw Xuande Gate, they could notice the towering and large gate tower built above, which was called Xuande Tower. The five door openings below the tower are all "gold nails and vermillion lacquer", red and yellow. The walls of the city tower are made of bricks and stones, and various patterns such as "dragons, phoenixes and flying clouds" are engraved on the bricks and stones, with delicate and lifelike shapes. The whole building is integrated, with changes and flows revealed in its solemnity, and gorgeous and beautiful in its solemnity.
It shows the majestic atmosphere of the Song Dynasty, then passes Xuande Gate, enters Zuo Changqing Gate, Zuo Yintai Gate, Xuanyou Gate, and then arrives at Yanyi Pavilion. After arriving at Yanyi Pavilion, eunuchs came to search for clothes and other things they carried with them. After everyone had finished searching, they were led into the Chongzheng Hall.
When everyone arrived, many officials from the Ministry of Rites were already waiting here. Next, the roll call was held in the Liyuan, emphasizing discipline. Then everyone was arranged to stand in the open space in front of the palace, waiting for the emperor to arrive.
When Zhao Zhen arrived, he was accompanied by several officials. Li Hao did not recognize the others, but Bachelor Ouyang was also among them. Then the officials of the Ministry of Rites led everyone to kneel down and salute Zhao Zhen, shouting "Long Live Long Live" three times, then stood up and stood bowed, lowering their heads and looking at their feet.
At this time, I heard the leader Zhao Zhen say: "You are all well-educated people. It is not easy to go through the scientific examination and now the palace examination. I hope that you can show what you have learned today and be named on the gold list."
Then he waved his hand and ordered the servants to bring in tables, chairs, pens, ink, paper and inkstones and place them one by one, while officials from the Ministry of Etiquette arranged for everyone to move to their respective positions according to their order. After everyone was seated, they suddenly heard the leader Zhao Zhen say: "I wonder where Li Hao, Zeng Gong, Zeng Mou, Zeng Bu and Zeng Fu are."
Suddenly everyone looked at the five people. Li Hao and others were shocked when they heard this, and then stood up and saluted under the guidance of officials from the Ministry of Rites.
After looking at it, Zhao Zhen said: "Don't be nervous. It's just that this conference is quite controversial. I'm just curious to see you."
Then he said specifically to Li Hao: "I heard that you have just reached fifteen years old. You are young and talented."
Li Hao saluted again and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. Your Majesty is very complimentary."
Zhao Zhen smiled after hearing this, and then ordered people to move the five people's seats to the front so that they could take the exam. After the five people sat down again, they started the normal process again, but this scene made everyone present. The official was really confused.
