Prime Minister

Chapter 232 Fighting the Sky
The day of the Lu Ming Banquet was in full autumn with a breezy and sunny day.

In front of the Sanjian Hall of the Guozijian, people now come and go in shirts and green skirts. When they meet each other, they bow their hands and salute each other, and get acquainted with each other.

The roadside musicians sat on the mat and played the tunes, all of which were brisk and flying, adding a bit of festiveness to this Luming Banquet.

The faces of Xiezi were even more beaming and full of complacency. As for Xiezi who went to the Luming Banquet for the first time, he was in high spirits, and his waist was straight when he walked. Qi, of course, the real success still has to wait until the provincial test.

But it doesn't matter what they indulge in today.

Zhang Yue walked briskly, Huang Lu followed, and he met acquaintances along the way, no matter who he knew or not, it was right to bow first, as the saying goes, there are many people who don't blame people.

When I heard the seniors in Taixue talk about the Luming Banquet and the Qionglin Banquet, how beautiful it was, and met and drank with a certain boss, now that it happened to me, the excitement is really indescribable.

No matter how extravagant others say, in all ways, it is true until you experience it yourself.

Zhang Yue saw the salute one by one, his hands were sore, and he went to the front of Sanjian hall.

But seeing the red candles shining brightly in the Sanjian Hall, the hall is full of gifts for Jiezi, such as folded green 襕 (the upper part is white and the lower part is green 襕 shirt).

A bunch of strings of cash are served on a plate and placed high in the hall.

There are also bundles of rabbit hair pens bundled into a pile of Zhai paper folded into hills. As for drinks and food, they are placed on each table.

This fee was paid by the Guozijian, and some sages sponsored it.

The amount of this gift depends on the financial resources of each state.

For example, if the Kaifeng government is the most powerful, it will send more, otherwise how can it be called the foot of the emperor.

The other state capitals will not treat the Xiezi in Shangjing badly, and they have to pay enough for this money.For the least, these nobles will hold grudges in the future.As for the Guozijian, which has no financial resources and relies on the full appropriation of the imperial court for its income, it is undoubtedly the most shabby.

But something is better than nothing, Zhang Yue couldn't help being satisfied when he saw these gifts and the wine and food at the banquet, what is the Luming Banquet?
In Lu Ming's preface to Mao's poems, it is said that "it is not only food, but also real money, silk baskets and bamboos, so as to convey its kindness." '

To put it bluntly, it is eating and taking.

The ancients were not pedantic, but also very particular about practicality.

There is another name for this, which is called ''send delivery''.

Before entering the Sanjian Hall, each Jiezi needs to sign in the book, write down his or her name and place of origin, and a pre-banquet list will be engraved afterwards, which is called Xiaolu.

There are also different names in different places, such as "Qiji Xiaolu", "Xiangyin Xiaolu", "Tongshe Xiaolu" and so on.

Afterwards, Xiezi would just go to the bookstore and spend money to buy a copy. Don’t be stingy with the money. In the future, if you ask for help or build relationships, you will rely on this little book.

Of course, the "Jinshi Xiaolu" of the provincial examination is even more awesome.

However, according to this small record, among the 100 Jiezi, there will be 15 Jinshi candidates in one provincial examination, [-] candidates from various subjects, and [-] candidates from Mingjing.

As for the Kaifeng Mansion Jiezi next door, it is even more awesome, with 210 Jinshi and 160 subjects.

In the end, when candidates from all over the country were combined, only 200 Jinshi were selected. The number of subjects and Mingjing was slightly larger, but it did not exceed the number of Jinshi.

In other words, 120 out of [-] people in this small record will stand out in the provincial test, and it doesn't matter if they don't pass, there will be opportunities in the future.

Quite a few Jie Zis were present, and they were busy thanking the examiners, greeting the officials of the Imperial College, or chatting with each other to see if they could borrow anything in the future.

Zhang Yue searched left and right for a while, only to find that Guo Lin was standing alone at a loss, obviously unable to socialize at all.

This is the natural disadvantage of the poor.

Zhang Yue couldn't help snickering, then walked up to Guo Lin from behind, and patted his shoulder heavily.

Guo Lin was obviously taken aback by Zhang Yue's move. He turned around and saw that it was the other party who couldn't help being relieved, scratched his head and said, "Junior brother, you're playing tricks on me again."

Zhang Yue laughed and said: "Brother, you are too dumb, why don't you visit some examiners."

Guo Lindao: "Just now I visited with some classmates, and now I don't know what to do..."

Guo Lin smiled a little embarrassedly.

"Sanlang, I'm calling on the examiner." Huang Lu reminded.

Zhang Yue said: "I'll save it, brother, wait for me for a while. I'll recommend my classmates to get acquainted with you."

"Ok."

Zhang Yue immediately lined up with Huang Lu, and after seeing Xie Zi in front, it was finally Zhang Yue's turn.

The academic official at the side immediately straightened his back, summoned up his breath and praised the name loudly: "The Guozijian Interpretation Test No. 3 chapter is more insightful."

Hearing the academic official Gao say this, the buzzing in the hall was suddenly reduced by half.

Xiezi on the left and right looked here.

Jinshi No.3, what a formidable character!What is it like?

But I saw a young man in a white shirt calmly walked up to the three examiners and saluted.

"It's so good to be young."

"I want you to know that the three-character poem, the heart attack couplet, and the sapphire case were all written by Zhang Duzhi."

"It was him, no wonder, no wonder."

"Not only that, the emperor also gave him the same three-biography background, but he resigned."

"At such a young age, it looks like a dragon and a phoenix."

"At this age, I don't know if I'm married?"

Zhang Yue couldn't help feeling relieved when he heard other people's comments.

Sure enough, Zhang Heng is right. I feel that after success, I am not only more confident and see things more clearly, but also has a great bonus to my appearance. Not only does he walk with style, but he also seems to be more handsome than before.

Chen Zhu, Sima Guang, and Yang Hui all looked at Zhang Yue with kind expressions on their faces.

Young and talented, but also an extraordinary student, who does not favor him.

Now is the Lu Ming Banquet, and it is not the time for interviews, so the three examiners don't need to carry it, they all have smiles on their faces.

As for Zhang Yue, he wondered why Li Dalin, another examiner, did not appear here. Normally, neither Xie Zi nor the examiner could miss the Luming Banquet.

Because the Luming Banquet also has a hidden function, which is to identify Xiezi who are 'fake nationality'.

Not a Tai student, but pretending to be a Tai student.

At this time Chen Zhu spoke.

"Zhang Duzhi, a descendant of my hometown, I have heard your name a long time ago," Chen Zhu said to the two examiners on the left and right with a smile on his face. Ask He Housheng."

Everyone was in awe when they heard Fu Bi's name.

Han Qi and Fu Bi are highly respected. When scholars mentioned the two, they all looked very solemn, and they dared not make any comments or disrespect.

Chen Zhu said with a smile: "Fu Xianggong told us that there is a young man named Zhang Duzhi in Ru Township. He said bluntly that the old man has been in power for five years. The world has not heard the name of generosity and fierceness, but every day he hears honest voices. There's nothing wrong with that."

Hearing what Chen Zhu said, Zhong Jiezi was almost intimidated by Zhang Yue. He was so courageous that even Mr. Zhaowen dared to criticize him. After the final criticism, they even praised you as 'you are a formidable young man'.

This comment is almost comparable to Ouyang Xiu's praise of Su Shi's "give one's head a place".

Zhang Yue said: "Students are arrogant for a while, and they don't know the heights of the sky and the earth. It's because the rich and generous adults don't care about the students."

Chen Zhu didn't blame Zhang Yue for criticizing the prime minister hastily, but said with a smile: "Fu Xianggong, the prime minister can pull a boat in his belly, and the younger generation is a little mad, he doesn't care about it. He also said that the palace examination depends on you When the time comes, don’t let Fu Xianggong down.”

Hearing this, everyone thought, the more Fu Bi appreciates Zhang, the more meaningful it is than the third solution.

Several examiners all laughed. Chen Zhu looked at Zhang Yue very kindly, obviously not caring that he didn't use the word '耑' in the exam.

"Students remember."

Zhang Yue saluted Sima Guang again, and Sima Guang looked calm and peaceful.

Looking at such a solemn and solemn Confucian style in the past, it is hard not to feel admiration, but who knows that the other party will become the biggest obstacle to Wang Anshi's reform in the future.

Because of future generations, Zhang Yue actually never had a good impression of Sima Guang.

Sima Guang said with his hands behind his back: "Both examiners said that Du Zhi's essays are good, and his study of Confucian classics is better, but the old man thinks that you are good at Du Zhi's Confucian classics, but we still have to go back to Ji Gu Zhen Jin, and the meaning of the classics is simple. If you want to add a word of your own opinion, you will lose a thousand miles."

Zhang Yue would not refute, Sima Guang's words were purely a kind reminder, to prove with his own point of view, not to teach others.

"Students remember."

Then it was Yang Hui's turn, and the other party smiled and said, "I heard that Duzhi was originally a student, and he only entered the Jinshi Department for two and a half years. It is really impressive to have such achievements."

"My old man sees that every sentence of your article has an ancient meaning. It can be said that it is profound and profound in the Nine Classics, and the feedback in the article is enough to make many scholars today who ignore the meaning of the classics and pay attention to the articles. Think twice. Without the merit of the classics, writing Most of the articles published are flashy and tasteless."

This sentence made many candidates present gain a lot, and they all said that they were taught.

Immediately Zhang Yue withdrew from the three examiners, and everyone saw that the three examiners gave Zhang Yue a high hat, and they were really envious. Could this be the third place in the examination?
Zhang Yue then introduced Huang Lu to Guo Lin.

Although the two had been together, they didn't have a serious chat. This time, after Zhang Yue's solemn introduction, the two hit it off very well.

Next, the Luming Banquet begins.

The Lu Ming Banquet is passed down from Zhou Li Zhongxiang Li drinking.

The functions of drinking in rural rituals in Zhou rites are firstly that the township officials recommend talents once every three years;

Now it is Bin Xianneng.

In addition to this, there is also "Shang Tei". In ancient rituals, the longest age must be seated, rather than ranking according to the size of the official position.

Therefore, in addition to officials, an eminent monk from Daxiangguo Temple was also invited to be the top seat this time.

Future generations will not be able to understand this operation, but it is quite normal in the officialdom.

These add up to the ancient system of respecting the old and honoring the virtuous. In the words of the Song people, it is "encouraging good customs with old chapters".

At this time, the musicians inside and outside the hall played the rising songs together. The rising songs of the Luming Banquet are "Luming", "Simu" and "Huanghuangzhehua". Later generations took the first "Luming" to refer to the Luming Banquet .

The meaning of the guest and host's remuneration is all in it, with a sense of grace and elegance, and a little bit of prosperity along the way.

Zhang Yue, Guo Lin, Huang Lu and others sang together.

The emperor is Hua, in the original Xi.

駪駪 Zhengfu, every bosom is exhausted.

I am Ma Weiju, and my six bridles are like wet.

Carried away, Zhou Yuan consulted. "

……

This song "Huanghuangzhehua" comes from the Book of Songs. The sentence "Huanghuangzhehua, Yu Heyuanxi" expresses the long-term glorious scene. Get a glimpse of the prosperity of the Zhou Dynasty that has always been praised by Confucianism.

When reciting songs, the whole class is full of joy and harmony, and the meaning of the so-called "gentle and honest, poetry teaching is also" is also here.

After singing, follow the ancient etiquette.

The following are the twelve procedures of Subin, Preface, Sacrifice, Host Offering, Guest Remuneration, Host Rewarding, Referral Rewarding All Guests, Xiujue Wusuan, Washing, Raising Goblets, Sending Off, and Worshiping. There are also nine restrictions.

Anyway, in the eyes of outsiders, it is a series of red tape. In the past, the brothers who have been to the Lu Ming Banquet have come back without complaining.

But if you complain about it, it's still going on.

In the Zhou Dynasty, the governor, Dangzheng and other local officials used these red tapes to judge Binxian's demeanor and ability when drinking wine in the village, and finally achieved the purpose of selecting talents.

Such a standard for selecting talents is of course very unreliable.

But when it comes to the criteria for selecting talents, it has not been so mysterious since ancient times.

For example, when a young man visits a Shangguan, he says wrong words and behaves wrongly as soon as he meets him. Then Shangguan has a bad impression of this young man, and there is no point in further investigation.

Those in positions of authority do not have the time to conduct detailed investigations of young people, and generally make the next conclusion through one meeting.As for more people, they can't even win the chance to meet.

Speaking of which, the imperial examinations in the Song Dynasty are indeed more scientific than this week's etiquette and wine drinking, but more importantly, it is to set a standard in the name of fairness, which means that the selection of talents is in the hands of the imperial court, not in the hands of the township officials. .

As the chief examiner, Chen Zhu acted as the chief examiner of the Luming Banquet, and made a speech in the hall: "Today's Luming Banquet is not just for food and drink. Everyone, old or young, encourages each other to be loyal to the country and filial to relatives..."

The rest are words of exhortation.

Zhang Yue has heard such words many times, but most of them have not listened carefully, but if you listen carefully to such speeches, you can hear many tricks.

For example, the phrase "loyalty to the country, filial piety to relatives", the first thing a scholar reads is the classics of filial piety, and to learn filial piety, this is culture and education, knowledge learned in school.

Loyalty to the country is politics and religion.

The general idea of ​​these words is that after the Luming Banquet, some of you will go from students to jobs. You must be filial at home, and loyal to the emperor at home.

It is easy for scholars to accept these words, because politics and religion are also subtly influenced by learning and teaching.

The following is the dedication of Lu Zhijian from the Imperial College.

There are not so many routines in Lu Zhidao's speech, but his words are earnest, including a lot of exhortations and trivial exhortations.

At this moment, Zhang Yue felt as if he was listening to the old principal's graduation speech.

In the past three years of study and life at Taixue, time flies by with a snap of the fingers.

The tall pagoda trees in Taixue, the lush bamboo forests, the crowded and lively dining halls, the tension during public and private exams and the joy and sorrow after the exams, the drums that wake people up in a hurry every day, no matter how disgusted they are, they will eventually A place to leave.

Many feelings come together in my heart.

Regardless of spring, rain, winter or snow, the scene of studying hard in the furnace pavilion suddenly poured heavily, but he had to rush to Chonghua Hall to listen to the lecture.

In the mouths of many senior brothers, recalling this time, it was the most carefree time in life.There will only be more and more troubles in the days to come.

However, the goshawk will finally flap its wings and fight the sky!

A man should be self-improvement.

Some will fall into the ground, and some will go straight to Xiaohan.

From pretentiousness to acknowledgment of ordinaryness, this is the trajectory of most people's lives.But some people will go from ordinary to extraordinary.

Others didn't realize it, but Zhang Yue remembered something when he heard it.

(End of this chapter)