The last conscience of the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 32 Are you talented?

The two father and son had discussed it till this point, and the answer Liang Xin wanted had come out.

Returning to Zhao Ji's house, Liang Xin sat down and briefly analyzed the content and reasons for the quarrel in the court.

After Zhao Ji finished listening: "How about I listen to the debut question?"

Liang Xin wrote on Zhao Ji's imperial case: There is no one to cross the wild water, and the lonely boat is crossing every day.

After Zhao Ji stared at the poem for a long time, he patted the imperial case gently: "Wonderful."

Liang Xin said from the side: "This is "Climbing the Tower in Spring and Feeling Home" written by Kou Zhun and Xianggong Kou. When the eldest lady asked, you can say that it is to encourage new scholars... I'd better write it down. In this way, eldest lady, It will definitely make the queen happy.”

Zhao Ji didn't listen. He had already spread out the paper, picked up the pen and stood in front of the paper to think.

Drawing.

What is the best artistic conception?

Liang Xin continued: "It is called painting as the title, but the test is not the painting skills, but the state of mind. Only a higher state of mind and a higher mind are worthy of the title of No. [-] Scholar. It is just reading. Who can be a Jinshi with those books?" You can’t memorize things backwards and forwards. You’ve already tested knowledge and theory in the general examination, and you’ve tested poetry in the provincial examination...”

Zhao Ji nodded while listening: "That's right, that's right, keep writing. After writing it down, I will recite it to the eldest lady."

Liang Xin finished writing and put the paper aside.

Zhao Ji asked again: "You also draw a picture of the question you asked."

"My drawing skills are terrible."

"I teach you."

Liang Xin's painting is a little higher than that of the chicken eating rice picture. It depicts a boatman lying on the stern of the boat, holding a transverse flute in his hand, with a leisurely manner.

Zhao Ji: "Miao, Miao, you are the one with the best state of mind."

Liang Xin bowed slightly: "I am the third in the world."

Zhao Ji was stunned for a moment and smiled happily.

That's right, if I had thought more about this painting myself, I would probably have chosen Liang Xin's expression method, and the painting would be more exquisite and have a higher artistic conception.

Therefore, you are number one in the world.

Liang Xin asked again: "How about a day off the day after tomorrow?"

"No." Zhao Ji didn't even think about it, just rejected it, and then rang the bell at hand. Liang Shicheng, who was guarding outside the door, pushed the door in and bowed down: "Official family." Zhao Ji didn't look up, while painting. While saying: "Go to the inner treasury to pick out a box of jewels and give it to Liang Xiaojian's concubine. What is its name? Ask for her name and then write a reward edict."

"Also, I want to arrange the day for retreat."

Liang Shicheng's body trembled, he was surprised.

It was very rare for the emperor to personally give a reward to a minister's concubine. Even if it did happen, the previous records only appeared after the extremely noble concubine received the imperial title.

As soon as you get married, you will be rewarded.

As for how many boxes there are, a two-foot box is also a box, and a three-inch treasure box is also called a box.

Never before.

What was even more surprising was that Liang Xin actually persuaded Zhao Ji to stop the night's indulgence.

Really, amazing.

"Slave, let's do it now." Liang Shicheng took a few steps back, walked back to the door and closed it.

Zhao Ji had finished the painting. He picked it up and admired it for himself. He shook his head and threw it directly into the wastebasket next to him. He spread it over with another piece and prepared to draw another one.

Liang Xin stood aside, slowly polishing the ink.

At this time, in the palace.

The harem, towards the palace of the Queen Mother.

Queen Mother Xiang is the daughter-in-law of Queen Mother Cao, who is the sister of Grandpa Cao Tan. Queen Mother Xiang is one generation older than Cao Tan.

During the Song Dynasty, there was a very magical phenomenon.

Anyone who went on a mission to the Liao Kingdom could be promoted when they came back, and many of them were promoted to prime minister.

Xiangjia, small family.

It was because of Xiang Minzhong that he first became successful.

Xiang Minzhong's first mission was with the Cao family. The Cao family went on the most missions to the Liao Kingdom. Cao Tan's uncles, Cao Song, Cao You, and Cao Du, all went to the Liao Kingdom many times. .Cao You is Cao Yang's father.

The second time the Xiang family became prosperous was after Xiang became the Queen Mother.

Of course, we cannot do without the Cao family.

Empress Dowager Cao of the Cao family is Empress Dowager Xiang's mother-in-law.

When Cao Tan entered the palace, Queen Mother Xiang was very happy and specially ordered people to buy famous snacks outside the palace.

He also personally prepared tea for Cao Tan.

After greeting each other, Cao Tan presented two books.

"Madam, this book is very good. I sent it here specially."

The Empress Dowager asked the maids at her side to bring the girl to hand. On the cover was written "Joking about the Three Kingdoms".

This is printed according to the standard printing plate, with eight lines per page and fifteen words per line. A book is 75 pages.

The two books only talked about Zhang Fei beating the postal inspector.

Empress Dowager Xiang looked at her very seriously. When the palace maid bought snacks, Empress Dowager Xiang didn't even look at them. She was concentrating on reading.

Cao Tan, sitting aside, eating snacks and drinking tea by himself.

She is in no hurry.

The more carefully the Queen Mother looked at her, the happier she became.

Half an hour later, he finished reading to the Queen Mother: "That's all?"

Cao Tan: "Replying to the eldest lady, the manuscript has nearly 30 words, but it has not been compiled and has not been printed. Only these two copies have been printed. The manuscript mentions visiting the thatched cottage three times and asking Kong Ming to come out."

Queen Mother Xiang flipped through the book: "Why is there no author's name?"

Cao Tan blushed: "I haven't asked what the name is."

With this reaction, Queen Mother Xiang understood: "But you are talented?"

"Jinke Jinshi."

What Cao Tan said is neither true nor false.

Really, if you rank in the general examination, you will be considered a Jinshi. The current palace examination only involves ranking.But Cao Tan didn't say that one of these Jinshi was not passed the examination but was awarded.

"Jinshi, not bad." Empress Dowager Xiang felt that Jinshi was already an outstanding person.

Xiang Taihou asked again: "What's your age?"

Cao Tan's voice was very low: "Bi, younger than me."

"This is not a coincidence." In the Song Dynasty, the wives of noble families were basically older than their husbands. This was a blessing, a great blessing. "Why, are you afraid that your father will be dissatisfied, or do you have any other concerns?"

Cao Tan: "I have a poor background."

"What's the harm in it? If you win the Jinshi, you will be an official in the imperial court. Find an excuse to show me another day."

"Yes." Cao Tan lowered his head and responded.

"This..." Queen Mother Xiang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Can I order someone to make a copy of the manuscript?"

"I have copied a rare book. I just didn't know if the eldest lady would like it."

"I like it, like it, like it." Queen Mother Xiang smiled so hard that she couldn't close her mouth.

Cao Tan stood up and saluted: "I will go to the printing shop right away and arrange for someone to pick up the copied manuscript and deliver it to the eldest lady."

"Just arrange for someone to pick it up. Come sit here and talk with me." Xiang Dowager motioned for Cao Tan to come forward and sit next to her. A palace maid immediately brought a small round stool.

At the beginning of Youshi (five o'clock in the afternoon).

Zongze and others entered the palace following the imperial edict. In a side hall, a young eunuch held an edict in one hand, two young eunuchs each held a tray, and a young man dressed as a civil servant stood beside him. side.

"Listen to the edict!" The young eunuch, naturally Wang Pu, shouted, and Zongze and others stood up and bowed.

Seeing that everyone was ready, Wang Pu shouted: "On behalf of the official family, the official family has three questions. Everyone should take their seats."

(End of this chapter)