The heavens from Bailuyuan

Chapter 289 The Talent of the Great Tang Scholar (Full Version)

Several scarlet-robed officials and green-robed officials who accompanied the examination heard the two prime ministers talking and did not dare to intervene without authorization, but they were interested in Bai Gui mentioned by the prime ministers, so there was no transcription at this time, and the transcription was not until the Northern Song Dynasty. The society will be created, and now all the famous people who are on the pre-listed list of famous people have been invited to the court to take the exam. After a few glances, they can see Bai Gui who lives in the middle. It is not difficult to find. Xian, calm and composed, couldn't help nodding secretly.

(Officials in the Tang Dynasty wore scarlet robes above rank five, and green robes below rank six.)
Just this effort of nourishing qi is better than many candidates present, and ordinary officials do not have such calmness.

They took another look at Bai Gui's appearance and were very impressed.

"There are four ways to choose a person. One is the body, which is magnificent in appearance; the other is speech, which is dialectical; the third is calligraphy, which is beautiful in regular script; Virtue is equal to talent, and talent is equal to labor." - "New Book of Tang: Election Records"

"Appearance is divided into four classes, and the face shapes are Guo, Jia, Shen, You..."

"This person has good facial features, bright eyebrows, elegant temperament, brand-new robes with clear creases, and he is a person who loves cleanliness. In terms of body, I think he can live in the upper class."

The accompanying examiner discussed in a low voice.

It is the responsibility of these chief examiners, that is, the prime ministers, to look at policy questions and poems, and their duty is to evaluate candidates' body, speech, and writing during the assessment.

At this time, since Bai Gui was famous for his calligraphy in Chang'an, it would not be a problem to write the calligraphy in "Selecting the Four Talents".

There is a great possibility of winning the Jinshi examination!
And these accompanying examiners had to select good-looking candidates in advance, and preliminarily screened them, so as to prevent ugly people from being admitted to the Jinshi department, which would hinder Datang's face.

……

Gongyuan, in the courtroom.

"Policy questions are all commonplace questions, how to rectify the bureaucracy, reduce redundant staff, and some economic problems, how to solve the land annexation, and the military strength of the government soldiers recruited by the government soldier system is worrying. ..."

"By the way, there is also the important task of managing the Western Regions..."

Bai Gui glanced at Wudao Shiwu Policy and nodded.

He had already guessed about these exam questions.

Now he no longer needs to rely on the Kunlun mirror to cheat to obtain exam questions, thus gaining the first-mover advantage.Now, he is already full of strategies and has a well-thought-out plan. With years of experience from later generations, it is not difficult to answer the questions about strategies in the Tang Dynasty. Besides, he was born as a scholar of strategies and theory, and he has studied history... If he wins by cheating, then It's a little ridiculous.

"Writing articles can't be too sharp, Kanglong must regret it."

"Current affairs policy is one of the examination contents for the selection of talents in the imperial examination... But obviously, no matter whether it is the Tang Dynasty or the Xun Qing Dynasty, this is just a form of assessment. The policy papers written cannot really be implemented as national policies... ..."

"There is a saying that goes well, small meetings for big things, big meetings for small things. National policy will not be easily announced in the court meeting of the court, but only in the small meeting of the prime ministers and the emperor in the political affairs hall..."

"There is another saying that the prime minister must start in the state and county. It is because of the experience of the state and county that he can understand the country's economy, laws, land and many other things, so that he can write national policies."

Bai Gui has long been familiar with the imperial examination.

So think for a moment.

Just know how to put pen to paper.

Looking at history, many famous talents and great poets were depressed and wanted to be officials, but they were not appreciated by the court and the emperor.

But sometimes, it’s not necessarily that the emperor is stupid and the court is corrupt, but that these talents are all angry youths, clamoring for the emperor to expel evil spirits, quickly use him as a talented person, or reform bad governance and so on.

If the emperor and the court really recruited such a person, they would be out of their wits.

The death of the nation is not far away.

"However, writing a policy theory cannot be empty-handed, too empty, and only pursue gorgeous rhetoric."

"The speed of this has to be grasped!"

After Bai Gui sharpened the ink, he put the brush on the washstand for a while, and then began to write vigorously.

He didn't dare to say too much about cutting redundant staff in terms of official administration. This was something the emperor needed to worry about. He would easily offend people if he said too much.

Therefore, in these few policy theories, he just focused on the big and let go of the small, saying that it was wrong, but the specific improvement measures only deleted or deleted the works of the predecessors, and then said nothing more.

But when it came to managing the Western Regions, he began to show his edge.

This matter has little to do with government affairs, and he has already said that he will be admitted to Jinshi and martial arts at the same time. Martial arts is not only about horseback riding and archery, but also involves a lot of soldiers, so he can write more about this point. Some.

Policy question, as long as one article arrests people, it is considered a victory!

There are very few talented people.

"The troubles of life today, how safe is it? It lies in knowing safety but not knowing danger, being able to relax but not being tired. This trouble is not seen today, but will be seen in another day. If you don't do it today, you will have it later. The irredeemable."

(In the text, Shengren was originally Shengmin. The word Li Shiminmin was taboo and changed to Shengren. Shengren meant the people.)
"In the past seven years, Emperor Taizong assisted Gaozu to conquer the world, and destroyed more than [-] countries. Although the world was flat, he dared not forget the battle. But today, Tang's military preparations are in decline. Entering..., rank horses and fight hard, stand ready for emergencies. In the gap between autumn and winter, send people to hunt in the fields to teach martial arts, teach them how to advance and retreat, sit and do things, so that their eyes and ears can be used between bells, drums and flags without confusion..."

"The minister wants to make the scholar-bureaucrats respect martial arts and teach the art of war; the common people who are officials teach them how to march; the servants who serve as robbers teach them the art of stabbing. At the end of each year, they gather in the county government, such as The method of the ancient capital test, there are winners and losers, and there are rewards and punishments..."

After Bai Gui finished writing, he let out a long sigh of relief.

This is Su Shi's "Teaching Wars and Keeping Strategies". After he deleted, deleted, and revised, it is in line with the military affairs discussed in this policy.Moreover, there is nothing in this policy to point fingers at random. It just said that the imperial court should be ready for war, be prepared for danger in peace, and not offend any interest groups, and it didn’t say anything about the five-year Ping Liao, which is the safest thing to do. .

Moreover, the things mentioned in the article, such as silently sipping Khan, spit thin, etc., inadvertently reveal his erudition and concern for current affairs. He is not a scholar-bureaucrat who talks empty-handed, but a literati with state affairs in mind.

With these, it is enough.

Mo Chuo Khan was an Eastern Turkic Khan who rose up during the Wu Zhou period. He repeatedly harassed the border and was the main enemy of the northern border of the Tang Dynasty at this time.

"The army silently plundered 9 men and women in Zhao, Ding and other prefectures before it was sent out... Di Renjie's [-] soldiers chased him, and he couldn't reach him." —— "Old Tang Book·Turkic Biography"

Eloquent, more than a thousand texts.

I entered the Tribute Court of the Ministry of Rites from the morning until the afternoon.

"Bring Bai Meihe's examination paper to the old man, I want to see the truth."

Song Jing said to the accompanying examiner.

He belongs to Li Longji's faction, and he has passed the test papers for Bai Gui in advance. He knows Bai Gui's talents and learning, and he wants to be promoted. In addition, Bai Gui is the number one on the celebrity list, so there is nothing wrong with letting Bai Gui's test papers be viewed. place.

Not to mention Bai Gui's test papers, he can have a look at the test papers of the candidates present in the examination room.

The imperial examination system in the Tang Dynasty was not strict at all!
"Yes, Prime Minister Song."

Accompanying the examiner didn't bother to control the officials, he still wanted to listen to the prime minister's words, so he walked to Bai Gui's side.

He was not in a hurry to take the test paper, but seeing that the content in the test paper had been written without any ink stains, he nodded secretly, reminded Bai Gui in a soft voice, and then took the Wu Dao Ce test paper.

"The article is well written, it can be above average."

Song Jing read them one by one.

As the prime minister, he was born in the Jinshi department, erudite and talented, with amazing insights.What he said was good, above average, already considered a very strong evaluation, if the candidates present could get this kind of evaluation, they would have no worries about whether they would pass the exam.

Although Bai Gui wrote the first four policy theories in a low-key manner, he has a solid foundation in literature, and it is not difficult for his written policy theories to stand out among the candidates.

Not to mention that his calligraphy is outstanding and has a great bonus.

"Huh? This article on military preparations is not bad, it's well written."

"He is a talented person who is familiar with military affairs. No wonder he said that he also wants to take the martial arts exam. With this knowledge, he will not be afraid of the military art exam..."

"With this theory in hand, even if he fails in two essays in a while, he will pass the Jinshi section this time!"

Song Jing nodded slightly and praised.

After finishing speaking, he handed the five essays in his hand to Jia Zeng, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and asked another examiner to mark the papers.

According to common sense, since one examiner has set the tone of admission, the other examiner will not easily refute. Once he refute, it is equivalent to tearing his face and not giving him any favor.

Therefore, since Song Jing decided to recruit Bai Gui, if Jia Zeng had no deep hatred with Bai Gui, he would follow suit and agree to this matter.

"President Song is right. With this military strategy question in hand, he can pass the Jinshi Division this time."

Jia Zeng took the test paper, glanced at it a few times, his eyes lit up slightly, and nodded.

He can tell whether the article is good or not.

Moreover, he read the policy questions throughout the article, and there were no taboos involved, so according to what Song Jing said, it is reasonable to select them for recording.

In addition, Song Jing said that even if the two essays by Bai Gui were not good, they could still be selected.

This is a joke!

There are people with such talent and learning, the poetry is almost gone, even if it is not good, it is just not good.

Seeing that most of the candidates had completed five policy essay questions, the two examiners improvised two essay questions and wrote two test post poems.

Bai Gui happened to take the test in Zishui County for the test post poem.

The test post poem originated in the Tang Dynasty, was abolished in Wang Anshi Xining's reform, and was not restored until the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty.

The test post poems in the Qing Dynasty are stricter than those in the previous dynasty. The test-post poems use classics, history, zi, Jiyu, and rhymes to write a word in each rhyme in the level tone. Therefore, candidates must be able to recite the words in each rhyme in the level tone. Words and tone must be solemn.

Bai Gui even passed the more stringent test post poems in the late Qing Dynasty, so there is no reason to stumble here.

Two test post poems, after a little pondering, the writing will be completed.

Although not outstanding, it is also at the upper-middle level.

In fact, most of the poems written by famous great poets are above average, and it is impossible to easily write famous poems that have been passed down through the ages.Except for geniuses like Li Bai and Wang Bo.

"This son's theory is top-notch, his calligraphy is top-notch, his appearance is top-notch, his speech is top-notch..."

"You can choose to be the champion!"

"I don't know what you think about it?"

The next day, after reading all the candidates' test papers, Song Jing said to all the chief examiners and accompanying examiners in the Gong Yuan.

Since Bai Gui has the strength to win the first prize, Song Jing will not be stingy with his recommendation. Wen Juan is the practice in the examination field, and there is nothing unreasonable in his recommendation.

Of course, if Bai Gui didn't have this strength, even if he learned that Bai Gui was on good terms with His Highness the Crown Prince and Princess Jinxian, he would not recommend it against his conscience.

With strength and connections, the recommendation is a matter of course.

"Since Prime Minister Song made such a decision, we also agree."

"We agree..."

"Agree..."

Many examiners looked at each other and nodded.

In this year's imperial examination, apart from Bai Gui, there was really no one who was too outstanding, so even if some of them belonged to the power of Princess Taiping, they were embarrassed to stop them.

After all, although there is no first place in writing and no second place in martial arts, everyone can tell whether the article is good or bad.

In other words, most of the examiners who judge are from the imperial examinations, and the ministers who are recommended by the powerful, if they don't have a literary name, they are embarrassed to judge the papers of the Jinshi candidates.As for the ministers who came from imperial examinations, such as Jinshi Ke, they would naturally support the orthodox imperial power psychologically, that is, Li Longji, the prince's line, rather than Princess Taiping.

As for Princess Taiping's fans, most of them are ministers from poor families who came from the recommendation system.

To put it simply, Li Longji has more say in the matter of the imperial examination!
Later, in the early years of Kaiyuan, after Li Longji ascended the throne, he promulgated the "Rectification of Officials" not only to cut redundant staff, but also to expel Princess Taiping's minions and wings from the court.

Li Longji, an official from the Jinshi Department, basically didn't move.

"Since my colleagues have already set their rankings..."

"The old man will enter the palace now, and display the examination papers to the saint for the saint to judge."

Seeing this, Song Jing nodded in satisfaction.

Although Tang Ruizong Li Dan had to ask Tang Ruizong Li Dan for the final ranking, but these ministers had already decided the ranking. Generally speaking, the emperor would not easily refute it. If you just look at it, you will agree.

After all, most of the emperors did not know these candidates, and even if they knew and admired someone, they would not tamper with the national talent ceremony.

Enter the imperial palace, Xuanzheng Hall.

"Song Xiangli's list of Jinshi subjects is all talented people."

"I am also very satisfied that Bai Meihe is listed as the first in Jinshi, but..."

Tang Ruizong Li Dan finished reading the examination paper, put it on the case, nodded, and said hesitantly: "It's just that since Bai Meihe has the talent of the number one scholar and has an old relationship with Princess Jinxian, I intend to recruit him as the son-in-law. Wei..."

"I wonder if Prime Minister Song thinks it's okay?"

After he finished speaking, he glanced at Song Jing and asked.

To become the number one scholar, appearance, knowledge, and character are not much different.

"According to the name of the number one scholar, it has existed in the Tang Dynasty. Since the first examination of the tribute and the front of the palace after Empress Wu, there are different ranks. There are examples under the door, and the one who ranks first is called the number one scholar, so he is also called the number one scholar." - Zhao Yi " Examination of Xi Yu Cong · No. [-] in the list of No. [-] scholars"

"Your Majesty, Princess Jinxian has practiced Taoism since she was a child, and she has already entered Taoism and received the scriptures. It can be seen that she has a firm heart. If you want to marry, please ask Your Majesty to ask the princess first."

"In addition, if His Majesty forcibly promises to be the number one scholar in Jinshi, it may cause criticism from all over the world."

"Your Majesty, please be careful!"

Song Jing arched her hands and said.

Although most of the princesses of the Tang Dynasty were beautiful, they were from noble families after all, so they couldn't be too ugly, but most of the noble families' children were unwilling to marry Tang Dynasty princesses. In the end, despite the respect, it will not cut off the future of being an official, but it still has some influence.

Although Song Jing supports the Li Tang royal family, supporting the Li Tang royal family and respecting the princess are two different things.

cannot be compared.

He also loves talents, so he doesn't want Bai Gui, the future prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, to fall into this pit of fire.

"Prime Minister Song is right. There has never been such a thing as the crown prince's son-in-law's captain since ancient times. If I am strong in this, it is not beautiful."

Li Dan sighed, shook his head and said.

He was reminded by Song Jing that he remembered that the royal princess has no good reputation among the people. Although he is cowardly, he is not a fool. He knows what the people think of the royal princess. With these spoiled temperaments, but he thought in his heart that it was okay, if he really forced the number one scholar to become his son-in-law, he might end up with the reputation of being a frivolous and wise man, and future Jinshi candidates would probably avoid it.

So, after thinking about it, let this matter go.

(End of this chapter)