The daily routine of wearing a book and abusing literature to cultivate a scholar and Xiaoxianggong

Chapter 10 The imperial examination article, ready to go to Fucheng

It took about a month and a half for Li Xiaodao to finish reading Xianggong and the papers passed in the last provincial examination.

In the afternoon, the two of them sat in the study and talked while drinking tea. Pei Zhiqi even put a plate of snacks on the table.

The first test question in the township examination in August last year was a sentence from "Great Learning": "The benevolent get rich with wealth, and the unkind get rich with themselves."

The township examination is repeated in the first round. If the first round is selected, there have been examples in the past that the other two poems were not mediocre and were also selected for the exam.

After reading these forty or fifty papers, Li Xiaodao was filled with emotion.

The most direct feeling is that although the article "University" was written more than 2000 years ago, the sentences are smooth and smooth, with clear meaning and few words that are too obscure. However, the test papers of the students are even more difficult to understand. Words lined up completely incomprehensible.

"This one... this lady doesn't read it. I said in the classmate's exchange that he is the one appointed by the outer curtain official."

"That's okay? Is it so blatant, no one cares?"

Pei Zhiqi shook his head helplessly and said: "No one can control it. Inner curtain officials are just elected instructors and Confucian scholars who are soft-spoken, while outer curtain officials are appointed by the inspector who holds real power. Some inner curtain officials are also elected by the inspector, so It is inevitable that there will be cases of favoritism and fraud. This paper was discovered only because the article was too incomprehensible, and it is unknown how many have not been discovered, and this matter is in the province, and no one dares to say anything."

The ancient imperial examinations were so dark.

"This is really maddening," Li Xiaodao said angrily.

"It's really infuriating, but although the current emperor has only been on the throne for five years, he is considerate of the people, pragmatic and wise. The township examination last year was the first time the emperor presided over a scientific examination. I heard that the imperial historian has reported to the emperor. The matter of the outer curtain officials suppressing the inner curtain officials, I hope that next year the autumn will change!"

Pei Zhiqi handed the lady a piece of snack, and said with a smile: "No matter what, the situation is the same for other candidates, and there are still many good articles in the exam papers."

Li Xiaodao took the snack, ate it in two or three bites, drank another sip of tea, nodded and said: "Not bad, but I feel that there are only two or three articles that can compare with Xianggong's articles."

Pei Zhiqi smiled and said: "The lady is too well-known, but she didn't win, there must be a reason."

Li Xiaodao thought about it and said: "I read most of the articles, even the questions related to money, they are more from the perspective of ancient sages, the content is relatively vague and has no practical effect, but Xianggong mentioned Practical national policy, will it be related to this?"

"Maybe, it stands to reason that the examination questions of the Four Books and Five Classics are meant to speak for the sages, and rarely talk about specific national policies. They are only asked during the palace examination, but..."

Pei Zhiqi rummaged through a pile of papers, found a paper and showed it to his wife: "This is the paper of Jieyuan from the province. He also mentioned the land tax, but he took No.1."

Li Xiaodao looked again carefully, and it was indeed so.

Pei Zhiqi went on to explain: "Because I heard that the newly enthroned sage hates superficial words and likes to practice pragmatism, so this time, many bold candidates have written about national policies that can be implemented in practice, and the solutions obtained from other provinces According to Yuan, Yayuan and Jingkui, there are many such articles."

Li Xiaodao smiled and said, "Msanggong is also such a bold person."

"The purpose of reading is to serve the court, and the purpose of serving the court is to serve the people. If the articles can't be useful to the people, then what's the use of reading. Fortunately, today's sages are wise enough to allow me to be so presumptuous."

Li Xiaodao was puzzled again: "It's not the reason, and Xianggong's article is also very good, so why can't I get it?"

Pei Zhiqi shook his head lightly, if he could understand, he wouldn't be as distressed as he is today.

Xianggong's article mentioned the disadvantages that are likely to occur in the actual implementation of the existing salt tax system, and suggested solutions.

"Could it be that some of the examiners are sensitive to salt tax? However, although Xie Yuan's article mentioned land tax, he did not criticize the existing land tax situation. It’s just a drawback, and the words are very gentle.”

What the lady said made Pei Zhiqi think.

"My Xianggong said it very sharply. I don't know if he offended which examiner when he mentioned the salt tax, or it was simply because Xianggong said it too bluntly, and he was afraid that your article would be circulated and offend the high officials and even the Holy One."

Pei Zhiqi sighed. When answering the paper, he thought that he must have no shame in his heart. He must be worthy of the monarch and the people. He wrote the pen unconsciously. , I heard that in the last dynasty, some officials were outspoken and angry about the abuses of the current officialdom.

After all, Li Xiaodao has worked for two years. Although his social experience is not rich, he also knows that Xianggong is not familiar with red and black in court. Good, but hardwood is easy to break.

Even if the emperor is broad-minded, but the people below are all specific people, and the relationship inside is intricate, which is why the immediate boss is very important. There is no chance to appear in the eyes of the emperor.

But there is no need to rush to tell Xianggong about this now, take your time.

Li Xiaodao added a cup of tea to Xianggong, and said with a smile, "Don't be impatient, Xianggong. Let's find a way to find out where there are famous teachers to worship. We must find a good teacher before next spring and give Xianggong some advice."

Pei Zhiqi nodded: "It's almost the end of the year. Before the new year, I have to go to Fucheng to thank my teacher. I can meet my classmates then and see if I can get some news."

"Fucheng?" Li Xiaodao's eyes brightened: "How long will Xianggong go? Can I go together?"

"Counting the round-trip time of the carriage, it will take about five days. If a classmate invites a poetry meeting, it will take a few more days." Pei Zhiqi smiled and said: "It's great if my lady wants to go. The city is next to the sea. There is also a big port, I can take my wife to see the sea, take a boat, and play around. It’s just that the journey is tiring and it will be very hard.”

Li Xiaodao said happily: "It's okay! I'm not afraid of hard work. When is Mr. Xiang going to leave?"

Pei Zhiqi replied: "The departure will be around November [-]th, just to give the children another lesson, and we will leave the next day, trying not to delay their lessons."

"Isn't that only ten days left? How long will it take to get to Fucheng by carriage? Do you need to prepare dry food?"

Pei Zhiqi smiled and replied: "It takes less than a day to get to Fucheng by carriage, so I need to prepare some dry food and water, as well as a change of clothes. Madam, don't worry, I will prepare these things in advance when the time comes."

Li Xiaodao was a little worried again: "Will parents agree with you to go?"

Pei Zhiqi replied: "I agreed every year before that it doesn't matter to go to the prefectural city. This year it should be possible, but I can't go to the provincial capital. The provincial capital is also by the sea, but it is much farther than the prefectural city. I have only been there once. I really want to if I have the chance." Let’s go and see again with my wife.”

"There must be a chance," Li Xiaodao's eyes were firm.

Pei Zhiqi smiled back and nodded.

(End of this chapter)