big song poppi

Chapter 205 0202 [Double Ninth Day, locked hall test! 】

The ninth of September.

Double Ninth Festival.

On this day, the entire county was decorated with lanterns and streamers.

Shops in East and West Market all place pots of autumn chrysanthemums in front of their respective stores for visitors to enjoy.

Various restaurants and street stalls, with small ribbon-cut flags on them, sell Double Ninth Festival cakes filled with fruits, such as pomegranate seeds, chestnut yellow, ginkgo, and pine nut meat.They also use powder to make the shape of a lion king and place it on the cake, which is called "lion king".

It is said that in Bianliang, Tokyo, only Kaibao Temple and Renwang Temple have lion clubs, and all the monks sit on lions and give religious sermons.

Every time the Lions Club attends, countless people come to watch.

After all, lions are rare exotic animals. It is really a gimmick for a monk to sit on a lion and preach.

However, in recent years, as Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty advocated Taoism and suppressed Buddhism, it has long since disappeared, and was replaced by the Taoist Jiao.

In previous years, during the Double Ninth Festival, in addition to admiring chrysanthemums, walking around the streets, and tasting Double Ninth cakes, wealthy businessmen in counties and cities would bring their families, go on outings, climb mountains, and drink and have fun.

But this year, few people go out for outings in the city.

First, it is a bad year, the world is in chaos, and there are many bandits in the mountains.

Secondly, and most importantly, today is the day of the lock-up examination.

In the eyes of the people in the city, this was obviously the first imperial examination under Han Zhen.

In particular, those who participated in the scientific examination were all subordinate officials.

This adds a lot of gimmicks to the lock-in trial.

The vermilion door of Qingzhou Gongyuan is tightly closed.

Dozens of officials in red and black uniforms, holding water and fire sticks, stood upright on both sides of the Gongyuan gate.

On one side of the gate, Wang Weizhong, who joined the army in Sihu, was wearing a green official uniform and a right-angled futou official hat, sitting behind a table in the hall.

Four servants of Cao Xu were lined up in a row, standing on both sides behind Wang Weizhong.

A solemn atmosphere rushed over.

Just this posture is more grand than during the provincial examination, and it makes people feel awe.

Hundreds of subordinate officials who participated in the hall lock examination stood quietly outside the Gongyuan, waiting for admission with sullen faces and nervous expressions.

The outer streets were densely packed with people and scholars who came to watch.

On the second floor of a tea shop opposite Gongyuan, two women dressed as scribes in Confucian robes were looking down the window.

These two people were Lin Wanqing and Li Qingzhao.

Li Qingzhao's sad eyes like autumn water slowly scanned the dense crowd below, and said with emotion: "The specifications of this lock-down examination far exceed those of previous provincial examinations. Qingzhou has not seen such a grand event in many years."

Lin Wanqing on the side said: "According to Youyou, if you want to be an official in the future, you have to start as a subordinate, so the lock-in examination will become the norm in the future."

Li Qingzhao couldn't help but shake his head and laugh: "This boss of yours, if the news about what he did is spread, he will be criticized by thousands of people, and he will be regarded as a life and death enemy by scholars all over the world."

When a subordinate becomes an official, he is digging into his roots as a scholar.

But she had to admit that this was a genius strategy.

Only in this way can Zhao Song, who shared the world with the scholar-bureaucrats, tear a hole.

Otherwise, the rebellion in Zhao and Song would never succeed.

Without him, scholars would not support it!
But Han Zhen cleverly bypassed the scholars and started with the subordinate officials.

Does it matter whether readers support it or not?

It doesn't matter, subordinate officials can also govern the people.

This was an upright conspiracy. Even if the Zhao and Song Dynasties learned about it, they would be helpless.

Because Zhao Song could not dig his own grave and improve the status of subordinate officials, and those scholar-bureaucrats with vested interests would never agree.

Therefore, for Zhao Song, Han Zhen's conspiracy was unsolvable!

Hearing this, Lin Wanqing suddenly asked: "Does sister think he will succeed?"

What my son-in-law is doing is ultimately a big deal. It would be great if he succeeds, but if he fails...

"Who's right?"

Li Qingzhao shook his head and said with a wry smile: "The Song Dynasty is now in turmoil. There are powerful enemies peeping from outside, treacherous ministers in power, and the people are in dire straits. It can be said that there are internal and external troubles. Today's officials are also out of tune. I can only say that this is the time to start. There are good opportunities for things to happen, but what happens in the end is all up to him. Sister, you should know that everything depends on man-made efforts!"

To be honest, she was not optimistic about Han Zhen.

As the saying goes, a dead camel is bigger than a horse.

No matter how corrupt Zhao and Song were, after all, the background was there. In Hebei, one hundred thousand Western troops were chasing Gaotuo Mountain and running all over the mountain.

Forbidden troops are present everywhere, and in a short period of time, a million troops can be assembled.

But in order to take care of her best friend, she could only pick up some nice words to say.

Seeing that her best friend's eyebrows were still filled with sorrow, she continued to comfort her: "Don't think too much. Your husband-in-law is a thoughtful person. He should know the principle of thinking about defeat before winning. I think he has already arranged an escape route. Even if he loses, , and it can also protect your lives."

"Ok!"

Lin Wanqing nodded, her worries dissipated a lot.

"County magistrate, the governor is here!"

Just then, a loud chant came from the street below.

Immediately afterwards, the crowd that blocked the street immediately dispersed to both sides to make way.

Han Zhen was riding on a tall horse, and Zhao Ting was also riding on the horse, half a body behind.

Surrounded by a group of fully armed Qingzhou Army soldiers, they slowly walked towards Gongyuan.

Zhao Ting was wearing a scarlet official uniform with a jade belt around his waist. On the official hat he wore on his head, there were two narrow right angles that trembled slightly as the horse moved, like a pair of dragonfly wings.

In comparison, Han Zhen's clothes are very ordinary. He is wearing a sky blue Confucian robe, his long hair is tied up with a white jade hairpin, which dilutes a bit of his heroic and domineering look. momentum.

The moment they appeared, everyone subconsciously ignored Zhao Ting, and their eyes involuntarily focused on Han Zhen.

"Meet the county magistrate!"

No matter what these people thought in their hearts, at this moment, they all bowed and greeted respectfully.

In the teahouse, looking through the window at the handsome young man who looked like stars over the moon, Li Qingzhao couldn't help but sigh: "Looking at his appearance and discerning his potential, he is indeed a hero of the world!"

Even she had to admit that Han Zhen seemed to have the bearing of a man.

After waiting for a moment, there was no reply from Lin Wanqing. Li Qingzhao couldn't help but tilt his head slightly out of curiosity.

But he saw his close friend in the boudoir staring unblinkingly at the young man below, with a pair of beautiful eyes, and a white and slender little hand holding the handkerchief tightly.

Li Qingzhao's heart suddenly thumped, and a trace of horror flashed in his eyes.

This……

As a woman, how could she not know what Lin Wanqing's gesture meant.

Li Qingzhao was not a woman bound by dogma. When she was not married, she was very aggressive with heaven and earth. She was nicknamed Li Dauna in Tokyo, and she was even better at drinking and drinking.

The key point is that what she drank was not fruit wine or rice wine, but a strong liquor called Shaobai.

My best friend has been widowed for many years. If she likes a man and remarries, she will not stop him, but will happily agree. Not to mention she is not happy, she will leave a poem or two on Lin Wanqing's wedding day.

However, Han Zhen is Youyou's husband and her son-in-law!

Thinking of this, Li Qingzhao looked complicated and called softly: "Wan Qing."

"what?"

Lin Wanqing came back to her senses, and when she saw Li Qingzhao looking at her, she suddenly felt guilty. She looked away and said, "What's wrong with sister?" Li Qingzhao moved his lips and hesitated for a moment. In the end, he didn't choose to point it out, but gave a tactful reminder. : "Why don't you see Youyou today?"

Hearing her best friend mention her daughter, Lin Wanqing couldn't help but feel a different kind of shame in her heart, but she pretended to be calm and said, "Yuyou went shopping with her sister-in-law in Washizi."

Li Qingzhao chuckled and said, "Let me tell you, with how clingy Yuyou is towards her husband, if nothing happens, she will come with him even if he makes a fuss."

"Yes!"

Lin Wanqing nodded, forcing a smile on her delicate face that was more or less similar to Ma Shuyao.

As soon as the point was made, Li Qingzhao played Ma Shuyao, and after vaguely mentioning the point, he said no more.

With Sister Lin's exquisite mind, she should be able to hear her good intentions and know her way back.

……

"County Magistrate, Zhao Zhizhou!"

Wang Weizhong, who was originally sitting at the back of the hall, immediately stood up and bowed when he saw Han Zhen and Zhao Ting arriving.

Han Zhen nodded slightly and walked to the gate of Gongyuan.

After standing still, looking at the one hundred subordinate officials in front of him who were about to enter the examination room, he slowly said: "Everyone in the world says that subordinate officials are low-ranking officials. They all say that subordinate officials deceive the superiors and conceal the inferiors. They only know how to bully the people. A cunning person."

"Yes, this is indeed the case for most subordinate officials. But they don't know that subordinate officials have a low status. Even if they work hard and run errands conscientiously, they can only get a commendation from the superior, and they will never get ahead. They don't know, The wages of subordinate officials are so meager that it is difficult to even feed their families.”

These words immediately resonated with all the subordinates present.

Yes, they are lazy and cunning, and they oppress the people, but no one is born to do so.

There is no other way, the salary is just that little, and they are not allowed to farm, do business, or work as a craftsman. If they don't get money through extortion, their families will starve to death.

When raising a family becomes a problem, moral principles become less important.

If the ascending passage is blocked, and you will be a subordinate for a lifetime, then what is the use of hard work?
Han Zhen paused slightly, and his tone suddenly increased: "I, Han Zhen, don't believe that you and others are born like this. Your salary is meager, so I will give you a salary increase. I will never get ahead, and I will break the prison for you with my own hands. Today's After the court-locking trial is over, the former Liujia will be released as officials to govern the people of the area."

"The salary has increased, and the opportunity to become an official has also appeared. Now it is time for you to wait for proof. It is not to prove to me, nor to the people who are watching, but to prove to you and yourself that subordinate officials can also fulfill their duties. , being diligent and conscientious can also serve as an official and benefit a party."

At this time, all the subordinate staff felt their hearts surge.

Some old officials have red eyes.

Just because Han Zhen's words touched their hearts.

"Thank you magistrate!"

Hundreds of subordinate staff members bowed in unison and thanked him loudly.

Even the servants on both sides bowed down with gratitude and saluted together.

Zhao Ting and Wang Weizhong, who were standing behind Han Zhen, couldn't help but look at each other and saw shock in each other's eyes.

If word of today's lock-up test and these words get out, Han Zhen will surely win the hearts of all the subordinate officials in the world.

After serving as an official for decades, he had served as county magistrate, general magistrate, and state magistrate. Zhao Ting knew very well that subordinate officials had always been a force that should not be underestimated.

Relieving people from disasters, collecting taxes and grain, arresting criminals, registering people, measuring fields... all of these are done by subordinate officials.

To put it bluntly, they are the court and the people who have direct contact between the government and the people.

If the subordinate officials in a yamen unite as one, they can completely isolate the Shangguan, and even make the Shangguan look like a fool.

A government office without officials can still operate as usual without any chaos.

But if there are no subordinates, it will be paralyzed immediately.

And this power has rarely been discovered and utilized by people since ancient times.

On the contrary, what ordinary rebels hate the most are subordinate staff.

Therefore, after conquering counties and counties, the first thing they often do is to massacre subordinate officials.

Now, Han Zhen is here!
Glancing far away in the direction of Tokyo City, Zhao Ting thought to himself: Don't look at it as it won't have any effect right now, just wait.

When Han Zhen really rises up and raises his voice, the nobles in the court and the scholars who think highly of themselves will find out what a terrifying force this is!

After happily accepting the gifts from the subordinates, Han Zhen continued: "In this locked-down examination, Zhao Ting and Zhao Zhizhou will serve as the examiners. The names of the examination papers will be obscured, upholding the responsibility of fairness and justice. You are not allowed to cheat or falsify. Once discovered, , be dealt with strictly, do you understand?"

"understand!"

The subordinate officials were shocked and hurriedly responded.

Han Zhen smiled slightly and said loudly: "Open the dragon gate!"

As he shouted, the vermilion gate of the Gongyuan behind him slowly opened.

In an instant, the eyes of the subordinates became bright and hot.

Han Zhen waved his hand: "Enter the examination room."

After hearing this, the subordinate officials immediately formed a long queue and walked towards the gate of Gongyuan.

Wang Weizhong, who was sitting at the back of the hall, held the list and checked the information one by one.

The four subordinates behind him were responsible for body searches and checking whether the subordinates were carrying cheat sheets or contraband.

Again, the sense of ritual is very important.

The more formal it is, the more orthodox it is!

After staring for a while, Han Zhen turned around and ordered: "Zhao Zhizhou, I'll leave the hall lock test to you!"

"The county magistrate is at ease, and the subordinate officials will take care of things properly."

Zhao Ting bowed slightly and promised solemnly.

"Ok!"

Han Zhen nodded and stopped staying. After getting on his horse, he was ready to leave.

Before leaving, he couldn't help but raise his head, smiled and nodded towards the second floor of the tea shop.

She is the mother-in-law after all, and since she found out, she had to say hello.

Lin Wanqing felt flustered for no reason and responded with a smile.

Watching Han Zhen's leaving figure, she stood up and said, "Sister, let's go back."

"Ah."

Li Qingzhao nodded.

……

……

After leaving Gongyuan, Han Zhen led a group of soldiers and rushed non-stop to the armed guard barracks outside the city.

Today is the day when Nie Dong and Liu Qi return in triumph. As a commander, he will appear in the military camp no matter what to greet the victorious soldiers.

A quarter of an hour later, Han Zhen entered the military camp on horseback.

The military camp was very lively. Large iron pots were set up one after another, and the hot water in the pots was filled with mist.

The army cooks and helpers were slaughtering chickens, ducks, pigs and cows.

On the school grounds, there are long tables, and each table has a large jar of soju.

In normal times, drinking is strictly prohibited in the Qingzhou army. Once discovered, twenty army sticks will not be able to escape.

If you don't want to be beaten with a military stick, that's fine. Two days of confinement. Choose one of the two!

But today is different. It is the Double Ninth Festival and the first external military victory of the Qingzhou Army. In order to reward the soldiers and boost their morale, Han Zhen specially purchased a large amount of wine and meat from the city.

(End of this chapter)