Prime Minister

Chapter 285
In the Royal Palace, Emperor Zhao Zhen, Han Qi, and Zeng Gongliang were discussing state affairs.

After Yang Tian and Wang Anshi had an audience, Zhao Zhen said warmly: "Give it to the two Qing family first. These days have been hard work. It has been more than ten days since I entered the palace two days before the palace examination..."

Zhao Zhen first said a few words like gossip, everyone in the hall grasped a little subtlety.

Immediately, Zhao Zhen asked them to redo the five volumes in detail, as well as the matter of Zhang Yue and Wang Kui's two champions.

Now give Yang Tian and Wang Anshi papers.

The two read it again in the hall, and they didn't know if there was anything in the words that displeased the officials or who in this person's family usually displeased the officials.

When Liu Yong Jinshi failed the rankings, he couldn't help complaining, and wrote a poem in which there is a sentence "bear the false name, and sing it in a low voice".

A few years later, when Liu Yong took the exam again, the officials saw his paper and couldn't help saying angrily: "This person is easy to 'pour lightly and sing', why should he 'fake name'? Let's fill in the lyrics."

This is the origin of Liu Yong's lyrics.

Didn't Wang Anshi himself lose the champion because of the phrase "a child like a friend".

But this is the official family when they were young. Zigong Xixia, Zeng Liao Guo Sui Gong, after the failure of the Jiaqingli New Deal, the official family became more lenient.

But those present knew that Wang Anshi had a bad relationship with the officials.

It's not just about the number one scholar. The officials asked him to fish, and he ate the bait. The officials said that he was treacherous.

A few years ago, Wang Anshi wrote a ten-thousand-word letter to the officials, but nothing happened, and there was no movement at all. Later, Wang Anshi wrote Mingfei Song, using Wang Zhaojun as a metaphor to express his political frustration.

Afterwards, the officials asked Wang Anshi to cultivate him as a close minister. Wang Anshi behaved abnormally and refused the appointment eight times. He hid himself in the toilet and did not say anything. Go back and don't give the officials any face.

now……

Forget about Yang Tian, ​​Wang Anshi said with a frown, "Your Majesty, these five ministers and the two detailed officials have personally made detailed decisions. I don't know what is wrong, so I ask your Majesty to issue an order."

Seeing that it was Wang Anshi, Han Qi, and Zeng Gongliang's expressions all changed. This was clearly a fight with the officials.

Zhao Zhen was silent for a while, and said in a fluttering voice: "I heard that some scholars do not go to hone their literature and art, but are diligent in inviting them."

Wang Anshi said: "Returning to Your Majesty, this is not in terms of literature and art, but in terms of scholarly conduct. Improper scholarly conduct should first be blamed on the minister who was elected, or corrected by the censor, but I think it caused this trend. Yes, it's not that scholars are like this, but the current fashion is like this, forcing candidates to have to..."

Han Qi and Zeng Gongliang watched Wang Anshi's eloquent speech in front of the officials.

Han Qi glanced at Zeng Gongliang and said in a low voice, "I really don't know Jun Tier."

Zeng Gongliang said in a low voice: "Jiefu has such a temperament. Back then..."

Of course, Han Qi knew what Zeng Gongliang was referring to. When Bao Zheng was a herdsman, he asked Wang Anshi to drink as his superior, but Wang Anshi refused to drink.

Wang Anshi stepped aside, and the officials looked at Yang Tian and said, "Why didn't Yang Qing say a word?"

Yang Tian said: "Returning to Your Majesty, although there are some inappropriateness in the examination of Jiefu's words, but what he said is a test of both literature and art, so it is difficult for literature and art to be practiced by scholars. Please think twice about re-determining the matter. .”

Zhao Zhen thought for a while and said: "Since it is Yang Qing and Wang Qing, the palace examination still focuses on meritocracy, so these five volumes will not be returned as originally scheduled."

Wang Anshi and Yang Tian bowed together and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

Han Qi whispered: "Thanks to the officials for accepting advice."

Zeng Gongliang said: "The officials are lenient."

Zhao Zhen said to the palace: "Give tea to the two detailed officials."

The palace servants immediately brought two cups of tea, and Yang Tian and Wang Anshi thanked them and took them.

Zhao Zhen said: "This is the little dragon picture I usually use. It was made by Cai Qing when he was out guarding Fujian Road. The taste is not bad. You two have a taste."

Han Qi smiled and said: "In the past, when His Majesty worshiped the heaven and the earth in the southern suburbs, he only gave a piece of cake to the Secretary of State and the Privy Council. Ouyang often said that he was an official in the court for 20 years before he was given a piece of cake."

After hearing this, Yang Tian and Wang Anshi immediately stood up and drank tea, thank you again.

Zhao Zhen said: "You two Qings, the number one scholar's paper? How do you get it?"

Just as Wang Anshi was about to speak, Yang Tian rushed forward and said, "Your Majesty, at the beginning, I thought that I should follow the system, but Wang Xiang said that I should abide by the old rules, but I ask Your Majesty to make a decision on whether to abide by the old rules."

Wang Anshi also said: "Yang Xiangding's words are very true. I have made a statement before... I beg your majesty to make a holy judgment."

Zhao Zhen said: "Your articles, Chen Zhen, and Chen Zhen have all seen their own truths. The system of palace examinations originated from Taizu Taizong and inherited from Zhenzong. After I ascended the throne, there have been many changes. The intention is also to select talents from the people. Wang Qing is right. The reason is that if it is not suitable for the selection, it must be changed. I think that in the future, the palace examination will follow Wang Qing's method. The first examiner and the reexaminer will choose different ranks, and the detailed examiner will choose separately. As for the current department..."

"Have you just finished reading the ink scrolls of Han Xiangguo, Zeng Shumi, Wang Kui, Zhang Yue, and Jiang Yan?"

Han Qi and Zeng Gongliang both got up from their chairs and said, "Report to Your Majesty, I have read it all."

"Jiang Yan doesn't need to discuss, just talk about Wang Kui, what are the advantages and disadvantages of Zhang Yue and Zhang Yue's articles?"

Han Qi came forward and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, both of them are talented, but if we really want to talk about their merits, Wang Kui is more important than literary prose, and Zhang Yue is better than reasoning."

Zhao Zhen said: "I also think that Wang Kui is better than Fugong."

Han Qi said: "Your Majesty, Yang Xiong is good at poetry and prose, but in his later years he often laments the carving of worms and seals, and he doesn't have to do it in his prime."

"Mei Gao was good at writing Fu but was not reused by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. He said that 'the Fu should be excluded, and it should be regarded as advocacy'. But later, the imperial court used Fu to select scholars, and it was too much to judge the position of the minister."

"I think that Wang Kui's poems and fus are full of piles and carvings, but the number one prime minister is more concerned with the ambition of a candidate. I remember that when Emperor Zhenzong was recruiting scholars in the past, although he usually liked diction, he paid more attention to the candidates' knowledge in the selection of talents. I still hope that Your Majesty can follow the system of the first emperor."

Zhao Zhen nodded and said, "The first emperor had this rule."

Zeng Gongliang said: "I also agree with what Han Xiang said. The so-called number one scholar is first a king and then a man of honor. To participate in the same prime minister is like Tao Jun's way, and he has the power to create things. His talents are raised and learned. Articles, if you look at the small ones, you can know the wonders of plants, trees, flowers and insects, and if you look at the big ones, you can know the changes in the horizontal battle, which is not enough for Wang Zuo's tools, and the talents of carving insects cannot know it."

"As far as law is concerned, the most difficult thing for the imperial court is not to make its own law, but to implement it. The choice of the first examination and the second examination is determined before the examination, and Yang Xiangding follows the story, which is the kingly way."

Han Qi, Zeng Gongliang, I will finish what you say.

Zhao Zhen nodded slightly after hearing this and said: "Han Xiangguo, Zeng Shumi's words reminded me of the law of my ancestors. The selection of scholars in this dynasty is based on profound knowledge and broad knowledge. I have a king who knows the world, and people are endowed with water. The second topic of Taoism is intended to be like this."

"I watched the answers given by the scholars in the field, but I couldn't find the right way, or they lost the meaning, or the words were weak. Zhang Yue's writing has the meaning, and Wang Kuizhi's writing is better than the diction."

"I see that Zhang Yue has the endowment of the king, the world, and the people. It can be said that he understands my heart and solves the big problem in the sense. When I read the essay on the field, I saw his sentence 'The king leads the people, and the world is one', which can be said to be a tribute to state affairs. In the play of gold and stone!"

Han Qi and Zeng Gongliang also bowed and said yes.

"The king's way is above, so that the people will follow it, and the domineering is below, so that the people fear and respect it. Only when the king and hegemony are at the same time, can the world be mixed and there will be a Huaxia. This is the meaning of my question. Of course, Wang Kui's writing is strong and rhyme There is leeway, gestures are also calm, and the choice of words is also superb."

Han Qi said: "Your Majesty, I heard that during the exam that day, Zhang Yue was the last person to hand in the paper. Wang Kui wrote very fast, so it's an interesting story."

Zeng Gongliang said: "However, in the past, Meigao was quick in thinking, and he was able to do it after receiving the edict, and he gave a lot of gifts. But Sima Xiangru was good at writing and was late, so he wrote less but better than Meigao, so there is a cloud that Meigao is late and horses are late. It is also."

Zhao Zhen laughed out loud.

At this time Wang Anshi suddenly said: "Your Majesty, in the second year of Jiayou, Zhang Heng was the first in the palace examination, and in the fourth year of Jiayou, Zhang Dun was the fifth in the palace examination. talk."

Everyone looked sideways at Wang Anshi after hearing this, are they still insisting at this moment?

Zhao Zhen paced and said: "I know. Let me discuss it for another night, and the two detailed officials will come to pick up the list tomorrow."

Yang Tian and Wang Anshi bowed and said yes, then withdrew.

At this time, Zeng Gongliang said to Zhao Zhen: "Your Majesty, I have heard that Zhang Yue, although Zhang Dun is called a clan brother, he is actually a real brother."

Zhao Zhen was taken aback and said, "Is there anything else?"

Zeng Gongliang said: "I have heard that there is indeed such a thing, but it is a long story. I wonder if Your Majesty can allow me to talk about it slowly."

Zhao Zhen nodded.

Han Qi said: "Your Majesty, please release Zhang Heng... Now he is out of Ruzhou."

"I know."

Step out from the palace.

The sky is already full of sunset, and the rays of light shine on the palace wall, which is really beautiful.

Yang Tian, ​​who had a glowing face, stopped suddenly. Seeing Yang Tian stop, Wang Anshi couldn't help but turned around and asked, "What's the matter, Mr. Yang?"

Yang Tian asked, "Jiefu, did Zhang Duzhi offend you before?"

"It never happened." Wang Anshi shook his head.

"Then why did you make things difficult for Zhang Duzhi several times?"

Hearing this, Wang Anshi sighed, put his hands behind his back and said, "Mr. Yang, don't you think I can't see that Zhang Duzhi's writing is better than Wang Junmin's?"

Yang Tian was surprised and said: "Since you can see it, why did you choose Wang Junmin?"

Wang Anshi raised his hand to the sky and said: "Mr. Yang may not believe it, but I did it because of the rules and regulations of this dynasty?"

"Oh, then I have to ask Jiefu, Zhang Duzhi's words violated the rules and regulations of the dynasty?" Yang Tian asked.

Wang Anshi stopped talking when he heard the words, and finally shook his head and said, "Mr. Yang doesn't know me."

"Hmph!" Yang Tian sneered when he heard the words.

Wang Anshi strode away: "Han Gong doesn't know me, Zeng Gong doesn't know me, and the officials don't know me either."

After all, Wang Anshi left the imperial garden alone.

Seeing Wang Anshi's back, Yang Tian couldn't help saying: "Who would know you like you?"

After finishing speaking, Yang Tian sighed, and left with his hands behind his back.

(End of this chapter)