But at this time, the Jinshi in front of Donghua Gate didn't think so much, they were just happy about today's scenery and thinking about the future. Everyone was happy to chat with each other about their friendship of the same age, especially Zhang Heng, Dou Bian, and Li Hao, who were surrounded by the most people. Just when everyone was chatting happily, someone suddenly mentioned that everyone should go to the restaurant to celebrate together. This suggestion immediately attracted everyone's agreement, but as they were talking, another problem arose.
First of all, there are always people who cannot be dealt with among the officials in Beijing. There are conflicts at home, or conflicts between teachers, or conflicts among themselves. If one says you go, I won’t go, and if the other says you go, I won’t go. As he spoke, people dispersed.
This is especially true for the uncle-nephew pair Zhang Heng and Zhang Dun. Zhang Dun was not happy that his reputation was inferior to that of his nephew Zhang Heng, so he directly announced in front of everyone that he would not accept the current imperial edict and would go home and wait for the exam again next year. After saying that, he left directly.
The remaining Jinshi scholars were confused as to what to say. After all, the person involved, Zhang Heng, was the No. 1 scholar, but he was still his nephew. It was hard to speak ill of his uncle, otherwise what would happen to him.
So in the end, everyone could only drag those close to them and leave together. However, there are exceptions, namely Zhang Heng, Dou Bian, and Li Hao, who are in the top three. Basically everyone is invited to go with them. At this time, Li Hao didn't want to follow him, so as to avoid the trouble of going to the back of the house, he said: "Today, I made an appointment with several brothers from the Zeng family to visit Master Ouyang at his residence. I would like to thank Master Ouyang for his teachings. I really don’t have time today. When I’m free tomorrow, I’ll treat you all to a drink. I’m really sorry.”
Then he pulled Zeng Gong and left in a hurry. Zeng Bu, Zeng Mou, and Zeng Fu watched and hurried to catch up. On the way to find the carriage, Zeng Gong said: "You will make excuses, but it is better to get out early. There is still a lot of muddy water among those people, so it is better not to go out."
After hearing this, Li Hao replied: "This is one reason. I really don't want to pay attention to their meanderings. But another reason is that I really want to ask my uncle. To be honest, I am really the one who came today." It's a bit unexpected. Although I am confident that the article is well done, it is a bit exaggerated to say that I am ranked third. Plus, at my age, logically speaking, it is most likely to be ranked second, but I am the one. The top three make me feel that this matter is weird."
"You don't have to think so much. It's always a good thing if you can win the title of Tan Hua Lang. And the first place is chosen by the officials. What do you have that the officials should be worried about?" Zeng Gong said. After saying this, the Zeng brothers all nodded in agreement.
Li Hao smiled and said: "That's right. I'm surprised. If I really have something to worry about, it would be fine. At worst, I can just send it up. The problem is that I'm not there. So I'd better go home first. , when we are about to be released from office, let’s go to my uncle’s house to visit, and we can also ask about the selection of officials in the Ministry of Civil Affairs.”
After the Zeng brothers heard this, Zeng Bu said, "That's right. Let Bachelor Ouyang take a look at it. If we can stay in the capital, it will be better than being sent abroad."
After hearing this, Zeng Gong said: "How do you say this? Since I have passed the imperial examination and become an official, as long as I have the people in my heart, I will not be an official anywhere. Moreover, the appointment of officials is a matter of deployment by the staff. Do you still want the teacher to wait for me? Is it a smuggling relationship?"
Zeng Bu didn't say anything after hearing this, and Li Hao smoothed things over and said, "Brother Zixuan didn't say that he would let my uncle do the work for me. He just said that he would roughly ask about the arrangements for new scholars in recent years, so that he can have an idea. That’s right, right?”
After hearing this, Zeng Bu nodded and said, "Yes, that's what I thought."
While talking, everyone walked to the place where the carriage was parked and heard someone calling from behind. Turning around, he saw Sheng Changbai coming from behind.
Li Hao waited for Sheng Changbai to approach and said, "You didn't go to have a drink with me either. You should be familiar with the officials in Beijing. No one asked you to go."
Sheng Changbai replied: "My temperament is not pleasing to others. When it comes to making friends with others, I am not as good as my third brother."
After hearing this, Li Hao thought about it. In the play, Sheng Hong was bullied by Sheng Changfeng Restaurant and was imprisoned for two days and one night. Later, he was beaten up. He didn't know if it would happen again. I remember that there seemed to be someone there. He said that he had never seen Sheng Changbai and thought about it. When he thought about it, Li Hao realized that he had never seen Sheng Changbai smile. So he said: "Yes, your temper is not pleasing to the eye."
As soon as these words were said, everyone around was stunned. They probably didn't expect Li Hao to speak so directly. After a while of silence, Li Hao said to Sheng Changbai: "If you don't go back quickly, your family members are probably waiting for you, so go back first. I will pay a visit to your house when I have some free time." , meet the old lady, Minglan and the others."
Sheng Changbai said yes, so everyone got in the car to save you and went back to their homes.
However, as many Jinshi came out of the palace and left, the whole capital knew about the situation reported by Jinshi today. Just when Li Hao drove out of the palace and arrived at the Royal Street, he saw several groups of people surrounding the carriage of the champion Lang Zhangheng. There were even people standing on the roof of the restaurant and on the trees to watch. The whole imperial street was surrounded, and the scene was comparable to the star-chasers of later generations.
So Li Hao smiled and said to Zeng Gong: "It seems that the number one scholar is still popular. In fact, if you ask me, I should give the number one scholar a horse-riding parade and walk around the Manbian capital to let the common people of Bianjing Come and see the champion."
After hearing this, Zeng Gong said to Li Hao: "Are you envious or jealous now? To say that you are popular, you are not necessarily worse than him, the number one scholar. Now he is surrounded, just because he came out early, in Bianjing City The number of people who want to see you, a fifteen-year-old, win the prize is probably no less than the number of people who want to see the number one scholar. And you have an advantage over him, Zhang Heng is already married after all, but you are not yet. There are so many families in Bianjing City that I can't even count the people who want to marry your family. From today on, I'm afraid your family's threshold will be stepped down by people who want to discuss marriage. You'd better think about yourself. .”
Li Hao was a little dumbfounded when he heard what Zeng Gong said. Originally, he subconsciously thought that he was fifteen years old and still too early to get married. So I didn't think about it in this aspect, but now I think about it. In ancient times, marriage was already early. There were not a few people who got engaged and married at the age of fourteen or fifteen. I didn't mention this at first probably because I was busy with the scientific examination. Now that I am in high school, I am afraid that Wei and Li Jian will really start looking for him.
Thinking of this, Li Hao quickly said to Fu Deng outside: "Change to a small road and go back to the house quickly. Let's avoid these people. Don't get stuck here. We will be in trouble then."
After saying this, the Zeng brothers laughed loudly, but Li Hao was anxious at this time and couldn't show weakness, so he just didn't say anything and just wanted to go back to Li Mansion as soon as possible.
Fu Deng turned around when no one was paying attention and took a small path to go to the mansion. When Li Hao returned home, Li Hao hurriedly picked out the carriage and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that only his maid was looking at something outside the courtyard gate, and nothing else.
As soon as she relaxed, she saw the maid running into the courtyard. As she ran, she could hear her shouting repeatedly: "The young master is back. The young master is back."
Li Hao was really stunned at this moment. Fortunately, before waiting for a while, Wei and Li Jian came out, followed by a group of maids and servants waiting for the firecrackers and copper coins to come out.
After that, I heard Mrs. Wei say: "My son has won the Jinshi. This is a great joy. A few days ago, I asked people to set off firecrackers, and they happened to be set off today. In addition, I also specially asked for some copper coins in exchange for them. If you give it to poor people, you should also let them enjoy the blessings together."
At this time, I heard Zeng Bu say: "Auntie, you are not well prepared today. It is just not enough for ordinary Jinshi standards."
After hearing this, Mrs. Wei was stunned for a moment and asked, "Could it be that my son got into the first grade?"
At this time Zeng Bu said again: "Yes, Brother Hao is the Tanhualang whom Your Majesty personally called out this time. Do you think your preparations are not enough?"
After hearing this, Mr. Wei laughed and said, "That's not enough. I have to double it twice." Then Zeng Bu wanted to continue, but was stopped by Zeng Gong.
Then Li Hao said to Mrs. Wei, "Mom, there's no need to be too extravagant. The streets of Bianjing City are full of emperors, grandsons and nobles, so don't be too ostentatious. And if you really want to show off, our family doesn't need it."
The good thing about Mr. Wei is that he can listen to what he says. So he said: "Then don't prepare again, just finish setting off today's things." Then he led everyone into the house, then asked the servants to set off the firecrackers, and then went out to give away the copper coins.
After entering the mansion, everyone went to the main hall and sat down. Wei and Li Jian asked Li Hao to tell the story of today's Chuanlu Ceremony, and then Zeng Bu also came to add details when he talked about the highlights, and told them both It was extremely exciting. It was not until after lunch that Wei and Li Jian let everyone leave.
Li Hao and the others planned to go back to rest and then visit Ouyang Mansion in the afternoon.
