Prime Minister

Chapter 271

After the spring rain, Wang Gui expected that the emperor Zhao Zhen's mood has improved a lot, so he chose to come to see him at this time.

This is also Wang Gui's many years of experience in serving him, picking an emperor to face him when he is in a good mood.

Moreover, Wang Gui was very sensible. Two days after the provincial examination, scholars who passed the provincial examination had been coming to visit, wanting to thank the other party for their "admission".

However, Wang Gui refused all of them and said that the country selects scholars and selects people for officials... and he himself is just submitting to the public, and has absolutely no intention of showing favor to others.

Wang Gui's move was also a rule set by Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin.

Scholars are not allowed to call tribute officials as Enmen, Shimen, and they are not allowed to call themselves disciples, changing the bad habits since the imperial examinations were opened in the Tang Dynasty.Because the provincial examination is the grace of the emperor, and at the same time, the Song Dynasty also established the emperor's palace examination system, so Jinshi has since called himself the disciple of the emperor.

In the words of Song Taizu, most of the family names in the past were taken by powerful families.I will try it in person and try my best to correct its disadvantages.

The reason is the difference between scholars and commoners. The Song Dynasty cracked down on the clan politics since the Sui and Tang Dynasties, using people's handles to control the superiors, and achieved talent from poor families.

On this point, Wang Gui had a very good sense of proportion. After the provincial examination, he refused all candidates to visit, and gave the right to select scholars to the emperor.Wang Gui also posted a notice in front of the mansion, announcing the refusal of private visits by the first candidates.

After completing these two points, Wang Gui reported to the emperor with the subtext of the provincial examination list.

Now there are pavilions on all sides of the hall, and the curtains are all drawn up, allowing some wind and rain to blow into the hall.

As for the emperor Zhao Zhen, wearing a pale yellow plain robe, was painting and calligraphy in the palace.

The Son of Heaven paints and paints when he is in a good mood, and paints and paints when he is in a bad mood. This is his way to relieve his emotions.

Seeing the emperor's decorations, Wang Gui knew that the emperor was frugal by nature and didn't like extravagance. He often wore a piece of clothing that was very worn out and still wore it on his body.

For example, this plain robe of his was the third time he had seen it in several years.

In addition, Zhao Zhen often dealt with government affairs until late at night. Once, he really wanted to drink mutton soup, but he didn't say anything after being hungry all night.When Empress Cao found out, she asked why she didn't order the royal chef to buy it.Zhao Zhen said that if he drank mutton soup tonight, the imperial chef would buy it every night, and he would slaughter hundreds of sheep in a year, how could he bear it, how could he be willing.

Once Zhao Zhen was seriously ill, and Wang Gui and others accompanied Prime Minister Wen Yanbo and others to the palace frequently to serve him. However, they saw that all the tents and mattresses in the emperor's residence were of poor quality, and they had not been replaced for a long time.

Zhao Zhen often warns the prime minister that these are the fat of the people, and I dare not waste them lightly.

Accompanying him for many years, Wang Gui was a little touched to see the emperor being so frugal, but he immediately said seriously: "I will give you my orders to Your Majesty."

Zhao Zhen said without raising his head: "Scholar Wang, what do you think of this spring rain?"

Wang Gui glanced outside and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, good rain knows the season, when spring happens."

"Xueshi Wang said it was a good rain, and I agree with it," Zhao Zhen said to Fan Zhen non-stop: "Xueshi Fan, after hearing that you were elected as a tribute by the Tong Zhi, you ordered your nephew and grandson not to take the test. Do you want to avoid suspicion like this? ?”

Fan Zhendao: "The old minister was entrusted by His Majesty to serve as a co-prefect, so he dare not bend the law for personal gain. It's okay for my nephew to let him take the exam a few years later, the court's tribute is the big plan."

"If I remember correctly, your nephew is called Fan Zuyu!"

"Report to Your Majesty, exactly."

Zhao Zhen said: "This is very difficult. If I still want to use you as a tribute for the next subject, should I let your nephew wait for another subject?"

Fan Zhen said resolutely, "Just wait any longer."

Hearing what Fan Zhen said, Wang Gui couldn't help but glance at him.

Zhao Zhen finally drew a few strokes, then put them aside, and said to Fan Zhen: "I trust the loyalty of the Qing family, and I want the court to have more loyal ministers like Qing, let him come to the next subject!"

"Veteran accepts the decree, thank Your Majesty for your kindness." Fan Zhen said with a moving face.

During the conversation, Wang Gui held the list of provincial examinations, and the two servants beside Zhao Zhen unfolded it and presented it in front of the emperor.

The Son of Heaven walked up to the list and looked it over, and then said: "They are all celebrities for a while, and they deserve their names. The Qing family, this subject has given me a lot of virtues, and they will all be the pillars of this dynasty in the future! "

With the emperor's words, the three examiners were overjoyed.

Wang Gui said: "Your Majesty's demanding heart for talents is perceived by the heavens, so this provincial examination can be described as thousands of people working hard, thousands of heads are moving, and the world's virtuous and talented people are vying to serve His Majesty from all sides. This is not the merit of ministers. , is really a blessing from heaven."

Zhao Zhen asked several ministers about the detailed rules of the provincial examination.The emperors of the Song Dynasty were very concerned about recruiting scholars, and Zhao Zhen was even more so. This is the law of the ancestors, which controls the power of employing people, and at the same time eliminates the disadvantages of powerful families controlling the power of employing people.

After asking a while, Zhao Zhen smiled, and asked seemingly casually: "I heard from the foreign court that a group of butterflies flew on the roll of a scholar, and they couldn't stay there, and they were repeatedly named. This matter is true." of?"

Wang Gui thought to himself, isn't this what you did on purpose, the Son of Heaven?

Wang Gui said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this is indeed the case. This is what our examiners saw with their own eyes."

Zhao Zhen asked: "Which person is cared by the butterflies?"

Wang Gui said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this is the Provincial Examination Chapter 2."

Wang Gui was the second in the provincial test when he ordered chapters before.He did it on purpose.

If he ordered the first place, how could he be worthy of the emperor's nectar?Therefore, he himself must leave this right to the emperor.

But now it sounds like the emperor did it by chance, not on purpose.

Wang Gui thought, did he misunderstand what the emperor meant?
Wang Gui decided to tell the truth: "Fan Xueshi wanted to set this volume as the last one, but Wang Zhongcheng insisted on setting it as the first one."

"Why is there such a controversy?"

Fan Zhen came forward and explained the reasons for Zhang Yuece's outspokenness. Zhao Zhen said: "A gentleman's words are not in place, but Fan Xueshi's words are reasonable."

Wang Chou said: "Your Majesty, this Zhangyue is a scholar who wrote three-character poems before, but later declined his background twice. In Yichen's opinion, this son is young and energetic, and his words are unavoidably straightforward, but he also reads his heart to criticize the current malaise. , if everyone does not stick to their words, how can the court listen to the truth?"

Zhao Zhendao: "I remember his diction. Caomin was addicted to learning when he was young. The family was poor, and he couldn't read books. He borrowed from the book collection house, took notes by hand, and paid them back every day..."

"I still remember his three-character poems and articles. This man is talented and gracious. At the beginning, I wanted to give him a family background, but now it seems that he has conceded. Is he really a member of the Xiong clan? Why is his family so poor. "

Wang Chou said: "Returning to Your Majesty, although this Zhangyue comes from the Zhang family of Pucheng, it is from the same family as Zhang Wenjian, but it is from the Shu family. When I was young, my family was poor and it was difficult to study, so I used to serve books for a living. It is true. A poor boy."

Wang Chou thought that the purpose of the imperial examination was to select poor scholars and break the monopoly of powerful families from the Sui and Tang Dynasties to the Five Dynasties.

However, the scope of this poor family is a little bit wide, such as Wang Anshi and Ouyang Xiu whose father is an official is also considered a poor family.

And Zhang Yue's case is more genuine.

Not to mention that the poem was not of the same origin as the third biography, the emperor seemed to like it very much, otherwise he would not have recited it casually.

Wang Gui said: "Not only Zhang Yue, but Jiang Yan, Wang Kui, and the top three in the provincial test this time, and the tenth yellow shoe are from poor families."

For example, the number one scholar in the Song Dynasty was awarded by default to the children of poor families, so there is a saying that "the children of officials are not selected".Then the number one scholar in the palace examination is actually mostly among the top three in the provincial examination.

Fan Zhen suddenly said: "Scholar Wang knows, is Zhang Yue married?"

Wang Gui hesitated for a while, but did not reply yet.

Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "Oh, I'm looking at the family status. This son is only 17 years old. He has been engaged so early. I wonder who has such a discerning eye?"

Fan Zhen replied: "Reporting to Your Majesty, if the old minister's inquiry is correct, Zhang Yue and the current Huaidong Transit Envoy Wu Chong have already made an engagement."

Wang Gui and Wang Chou glanced at Fan Zhen in unison.

"It's Wu Chong." Zhao Zhen was thoughtful when he heard the words.

Fan Zhen said: "Your Majesty, the so-called poor people are not really poor people."

Wang Chou said: "No. 3 Wang Kui in the provincial examination, Fan Xueshi originally intended to be number one, but he is engaged to Zhaowen Xianggong's niece and granddaughter, so he can't be called a poor scholar?"

Fan Zhen wanted to talk, Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "What do you think of Xueshi Wang?"

Wang Gui said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, when the rich minister was not in time, he was also appreciated by the prime minister Yan Yuanxian and became his son-in-law. There is no lack of Bole throughout the ages."

Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "I read the articles of the provincial examination. Zhang Yue, Wang Kui, and Jiang Yan are all superior to others. Speaking of Fuqing, Wu Qing knows people from Hanwei, and if he marries her as a daughter, I will pay him back." I admire their vision in choosing a son-in-law. At least I am far inferior to them."

Seeing Zhao Zhen suddenly felt sad, Wang Gui knew that he was thinking of his most beloved Fukang Emperor Ji.

Fukang Emperor Ji accompanied Song Renzong the longest and was his favorite daughter.Because Song Renzong has always been guilty of his biological mother, he has always been very kind to his natal family.Later, Emperor Fukang was betrothed to the sixth son of Li Yonghe, the biological mother's younger brother.

However, after the two got married, they were extremely at odds. In the fifth year of Jiayou, Princess Fukang suddenly ran back to the palace at night, crying to Song Renzong about how bad the son-in-law had treated him.

However, the opening of the palace gate at night was severely criticized by Sima Guang, Wang Tao and other admonishers.

Song Renzong was under the pressure of the officials, not only could not stand up for his daughter and punish the son-in-law, but punished Princess Fukang and dismissed all the people around her.

Princess Fukang was so irritated that she committed suicide several times.Song Renzong was heartbroken when he knew about it, and this matter became a piece of his heart disease.

The three of Wang Gui didn't dare to speak anymore, but saw that Song Renzong had slowed down and said: "The two scholars from Qing's family uphold fairness, I know it, you don't have to fight any more."

Fan Zhen and Wang Chou heard that they were disrespectful for the dispute in front of the imperial court, and then the three of them withdrew from the palace.

After Wang Gui bid farewell to the emperor, he went to Ouyang Xiu's mansion.

Two days after the provincial examination results are released.

Zhang Shi asked Zhang Qiu to find Zhang Yue, but learned that the other party was not in Taixue, nor did he go drinking and socializing with his classmates in Taixue.

Even the classmates don't know where Zhang Yue went.

It turned out that Zhang Yue didn't go anywhere these two days, but lived near Taixue, in the house arranged for him by the Wu family.

Zhang Yue went to this house a few times before the provincial examination.

But after the exam, Zhang Yue didn't go anywhere, and even put off the entertainment among his classmates, and prepared for the palace exam with Huang Lu in this house.

The palace examination is scheduled for February 27.

Before that, there are still more than [-] days of work.

Since Jiayou failed to give up the palace examination in the second year of Jiayou, many Jinshi candidates have taken the palace examination seriously.

That's right, the palace exam is generally not given up, but if the examinee really wants to die, it can't be stopped. It's like insulting the emperor in the paper. No one can save you, and you will definitely be dealt with.

There is a fifth class.

As we all know, after the palace examination, all candidates are divided into five classes.

The first and second prizes are awarded and awarded.The third class is awarded by birth.The fourth and fifth grades are awarded to the same origin.

However, the palace examination did not give up and fell behind, and changed the first and second ranks to the second ranks, the third and fourth ranks came from the same background, and the fifth ranks had the same background.

Among them, the fifth class still has articles that are really poorly written, and if there are major mistakes, such as accidentally writing the name of the emperor, etc., they will still give up.

However, this possibility is still too small for scholars who have passed the provincial examination.

Therefore, many examinees feel that they have already pocketed the fame of Jinshi, and they have been out all night for a few days, going in and out of brothels.

The ten-year cold window has been depressing, and it is only human to relax now.

Zhang Yue and Huang Lu stayed behind closed doors, studying here.

You can do whatever you want, now there are only 20 more days before the imperial examination, ten years of cold windows have come here, do you still care about these few days?Trying harder this time can be regarded as a perfect end to my study career.

As for becoming an official, if Zhang Yue thinks that if he is not so ambitious, he can let himself go.

With the high salary of officials in the Song Dynasty, Zhang Yue can fully experience what freedom of wealth is.For a Xiaomin who 996 all day after graduation, talking about feelings and ideals, is it a dream?

It's a pity that Zhang Yue is a time traveler, the pain of the time traveler is that you will know what will happen to this nation in a few decades, how many years is Jingkang coming?

Although Zhang Yue was studying in hiding, he did not lack in etiquette at all. He asked Tang Jiu to bring letters to Zhang Heng, Chen Xiang, Ouyang Xiu and others, saying that he was preparing for the imperial examination and would visit after the imperial examination. He was grateful for so many years of cultivation Grace.

Brothers Anli, Wang An, Wang An, Lu Zhidao, Zeng Gong, Su Xun, Han Zhongyan, Wen Jifu, etc. also wrote letters one by one.

There are so many people wanting Zhang Yue to visit one by one, it is really too much to do at the same time, so I had to send a group text message.

Chen Xiang, Ouyang Xiu, and Zhang Heng all responded generously to the letter, and passed on their experience in the palace examination.

During the Tang Dynasty, Zhang Yue went home for a trip, and Zhang Yue learned that after he was arrested that day, his family was almost broken by a matchmaker from Bianjing.

Zhang Yue heard the news with emotion, and his mood at the moment can be summed up in two lines of poetry.

After ten years of cold windows, no one asked, once you become famous, the world knows this sentence is easy to understand.

There is also a saying that the random flowers are gradually becoming charming, and Asakusa can have no horseshoes.

Among the thousands of flowers, I only take one peony. As for other flowers, if I don't take them, why bother to linger.

People are often vigilant about big things and will not make mistakes, but they often stumble on small things.

The Wu family treated Zhang Yue with respect before, but now that he has gained power, even if he has no intention of regretting the marriage, if he is complacent because many dignitaries come to propose marriage, he will not know his own weight for a while, but at this moment he hesitates a little, showing that he is waiting for her. Selling it for a price or using it to suppress the mentality of his wife's family is disrespect for others, making the Wu family look down on themselves from now on, not only disappointing Wu Chong's appreciation for him, but also sorry for Seventeen Niang's treatment of herself. admiration.

Zhang Yue had already made up his mind. At this time, he made the Wu family feel at ease, and also freed him from any worries, so that he could go all out to prepare for the palace examination.

Zhang Yue and Huang Lu lived here to give the Wu family an explanation in advance to make them feel at ease, and now they are entrusted to their elder brother and second aunt to discuss the matter of coming to propose marriage.

Zhang Yue made up his mind to come to the door to propose marriage, and he himself became the shopkeeper.

It's not that I don't care about it, but that there is nothing more important than preparing for the palace exam in more than 20 days.

(End of this chapter)