I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 565: Su Liang's Talent Selection! The Provincial Examination Questions Are Difficult, Harder Than Climbing to Heaven

Starting from the second day of the first lunar month.

There were constant carriages and horses in front of Su's house, and the entrance was always crowded with people.

The pile of New Year greetings Uncle Ji received was more than one person tall.

Fortunately, most people knew that Su Liang did not like this kind of visiting, so not many people actually came to visit him or gave him expensive gifts.

It is just to express respect for Su Liang during the New Year.

Su Liang spent two days meeting many old friends, and then devoted himself to accompanying his family.

Accompanying my father-in-law to play chess and drink tea, accompanying my beautiful wife to go shopping and burn incense, and accompanying my two children to go boating and fishing in the suburbs...

……

In the blink of an eye, it is the Lantern Festival.

The Lantern Festival in the Song Dynasty has always been a more lively festival than New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Just after noon, the city of Bianjing became lively.

From the south of Xuande Gate, both sides of the Imperial Street, above and below Zhou Bridge, around the Grand Prime Minister's Mansion, and around Sangjiawazi, all were crowded with people.

Artists performing magic tricks, supernatural powers, singing and dancing have begun to warm up their performances on the streets.

Without advance reservations, you won't be able to get into any of the restaurants, teahouses, or theaters.

Tonight, Bianjing City is destined to be a city that never sleeps.

Uncle Cao Yi of Cao State reserved a private room in a teahouse in advance and invited Su Liang's family to have dinner. After eating, drinking and chatting for an hour, the two sides went shopping.

on the street.

The lights are bright, the lights are colorful, and the sounds of hawking are endless.

Signs reading "The Great Song Dynasty's Prosperous Era" were hung in front of many shops, and some people walked through the streets shouting "A peaceful and prosperous era, a peaceful country and a prosperous people", and were often cheered by strangers on the street.

Su Liang and his family strolled around for more than an hour.

After watching and playing, one of Su Zimu and Su Qinyi's shoes was stepped on and off by passers-by.

Then, they all went back to Su's house to rest.

……

The next day was the 16th day of the first lunar month.

The festive atmosphere of the New Year has not yet faded in the city of Bianjing.

Apart from shops along the streets, many people would start going out to work on February 2, but the officials in the Bianjing city basically all returned to their offices today.

Su Liang entered the Imperial Examination Hall with more than 20 selected test-setting officials.

Next.

Su Liang and other test-setters could only leave the Imperial Examination Hall after the provincial examination results were announced.

at the same time.

At noon, the court announced the officials in charge of this year's imperial examinations, the time of the provincial examinations, the time of the palace examinations, and the scope of questions for this year's provincial examinations.

Su Liang, the Chief Censor, was in charge of the imperial examinations and the provincial examinations.

The provincial examination will be held from February 18th to 20th, and the palace examination will be held on March 5th.

The scope of questions remained the same as in the previous two years: no poetry or prose, no examination essays, only policy essays.

After learning that Su Liangzhi was in charge of the imperial examination, many candidates became depressed.

Originally, many candidates were determined to win.

Because the Song Dynasty had gained a lot of new territories, it needed a lot of grassroots officials. According to what they heard, all the officials who had been waiting for replacements in the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Library have now taken up their posts.

This year, we must expand enrollment.

However, Su Liangzhi knew that the imperial examination had doubled their pressure.

Even Zeng Gong, Zhang Zai, Cheng Hao, Cheng Yi, Su Shi and Su Zhe, who were good at essays and had a good reputation in the Song Dynasty, felt the pressure.

Su Liang has always been an unconventional person. It must be very difficult to answer his essay and get a good rank.

Many scholars among the people also expressed their views on this.

"Haha, Minister Su knows the imperial examinations. When the list is announced, the top one must be very outstanding, and the rest are probably all of the same level!"

"The questions asked by Su Zhongcheng must be unique. Those who can answer them well must be talented, but the scores of some candidates with middle level may not be able to separate from those at the back!"

"I hope that Su Zhongcheng can select a few more people like Su Zhongcheng for the court. If so, we will be blessed!"

……

While the scholars among the people were discussing which direction Su Liang's test questions were leaning towards.

Zhao Zhen and the ministers of the two governments and three ministries were all busy.

Zhao Zhen issued a death order that the Liao territory must be completely occupied before July this year.

Secondly, the transformation of the Liao territory, Goryeo province, Dongying prefecture and other places must be put on the right track.

Currently.

In the Western Xia territory, there were Privy Councilors Di Qing and Sima Guang, and political reforms were proceeding in an orderly manner.

The states in Liao territory were handed over to Pang Ji, Han Qi and Wang Anshi. This was the most difficult part to resolve.

Goryeo Province and Dongying Prefecture were handed over to the chief officials of Chuzhou and Haizhou and Cao Hu.

In the first half of the year, the main task of these officials was to maintain stability.

Let all foreigners accept the reality that they are Song people, and then adapt to all the laws and regulations of the Song Dynasty.

Only after all these are done can we carry out comprehensive transformation and reform of the New Song Dynasty.

……

Liao territory, Dading Prefecture area, it is almost dusk.

Inside a thatched hut.

Wang Anshi was tidying up the documents on his desk.

Since the Liao territory began to implement the policy of "officials go out of the government office to do their work, and let the people ask questions about politics in the wild", he also took the lead in answering questions and resolving doubts for the people outside the government office in the city or in deserted villages and inns.

Basically, we change places every three days. It is hard but happy.

The Khitan people were more difficult to deal with than Wang Anshi had imagined.

Within just one month, more than ten officials were beaten, but Wang Anshi insisted that this approach was efficient and continued to adopt this policy.

The lower-class people are all afraid of being poor, so when the land is redistributed, they all want to take more.

The past.

There were many such people in the Song Dynasty. Most of them just cursed and fought each other, so the problem was not serious.

But the Khitan people were very fierce. If they had a disagreement, they would kill each other directly. It was very bloody.

In the past few days, after Wang Anshi's patient mediation, the situation has improved.

This gave Wang Anshi a great sense of accomplishment.

Just as Wang Anshi packed up his things and prepared to go to the next place with more than a dozen personal soldiers.

A personal soldier ran over first.

"Wang Jinglüe, run away! There are more than ten people running towards you from behind. They seem to be trying to harm you!"

Wang Anshi frowned slightly, looked back, and then saw more than a dozen men running towards him.

"Wang Jinglie, hurry up... hurry up and get on the horse, we will take over!"

A personal soldier quickly led the horse to Wang Anshi.

Before this, several officials had been beaten. If Wang Anshi was beaten, it would be a disgrace to the court.

Wang Anshi shook his head slightly.

"I won't leave! I haven't done anything wrong. I've been like a family to the people these past two days. Why are they beating me?"

"If you want to beat me up, it must be because I have some problems that have not been properly solved. If getting beaten up can solve the people's problems, then it's worth it!"

"Don't worry, if I get beaten, you won't be punished!"

The personal soldiers standing by were helpless and stopped trying to persuade him, as they had all experienced the stubbornness of this governor before.

No one can change what he has decided.

Wang Anshi looked relaxed, waiting for the group of men to rush over.

After a while.

More than a dozen men came to Wang Anshi, panting.

"Wang Jinglie, we finally caught up with you!" a man said excitedly.

Wang Anshi looked puzzled. Seeing that these people were not here to beat him up, he asked, "But is there anything that has not been resolved for you? Please speak up!" "No, no! Wang Jinglie, we have never seen an official like you who does not classify poor people like us into different levels. We bumped into you the day before yesterday and were a bit reckless. Today, we suddenly heard that you were leaving, so we... came to see you off. This... this is our gift to you."

After saying that, the man handed a leather bag to Wang Anshi.

"There is less than two kilograms of wine in here. It was brewed by us in the past. This is all we have left now. It is also our most valuable item. I hope it can refresh you!"

A group of men were all smiling foolishly.

Wang Anshi took the leather bag with a look of emotion, as the people could see his hard work.

At present, there is a food shortage in Liao territory, and the assistance from the Song Dynasty is not enough to feed everyone, let alone make wine.

This little bit of wine is very precious to them.

Wang Anshi smiled and said, "I will accept this wine. Everyone, please remember one thing: we are all Song people, and we are all brothers."

"Goodbye!" Wang Anshi bowed to everyone.

……

After a while.

Wang Anshi and his party were walking on a wild path.

He looked at the wine bag. He never drank alcohol, but he opened the bag and took a sip.

At this moment, he felt that all the hard work was worth it.

The people gave him wine to show their respect, and he would be happy if he was promoted two levels higher.

Wang Anshi decided to write a letter to Sima Guang tonight, informing him of the people sending wine, so that Sima Guang would envy his good popularity in Liao.

……

In the blink of an eye, it was February 18th.

The provincial examination, held every three years, officially began.

In the early morning, the candidates carried bamboo baskets and, after three meticulous inspections, filed into the examination room.

At this moment, in front of the Gongyuan Gate.

Su Zimu looked at the scholars Su Shi and Su Zhe, who were wearing long gowns and carrying bamboo baskets.

"Two brothers, relax. After the exam is over, I will use my New Year's money to treat you to a big meal at Fanlou!"

When Su Shi and Su Zhe heard this, the pressure in their hearts was suddenly reduced a lot.

After a while.

In the examination hall of the Imperial Academy, all the candidates sat upright in their seats.

Su Liang, wearing a purple official robe, stood in the center of the examination room and looked around.

As a bell rang, officials began to distribute the test papers.

Most of the candidates who saw the test questions frowned tightly.

The questions Su Liang asks are naturally different from others. If he wants them to laugh after reading them, he would not be Su Liang anymore.

When Su Liang saw the tearful expressions of most candidates, a faint smile appeared on his face.

This was exactly the effect he wanted.

The current Song Dynasty needs more outstanding young people to step forward, and this imperial examination is a great opportunity to screen talents.

……

The next three days may pass very quickly for the people outside the Imperial Examination Hall.

However, for the candidates in the examination room, every day is like a year.

This is an opportunity to decide their life's destiny, and everyone must rack their brains and unleash their greatest abilities.

……

Three days later, at dusk.

Boom!Boom!Boom!
With the sound of gongs and drums, the provincial examination officially ended.

The candidates took their bamboo baskets, walked out of their seats, and lined up to walk out of the Imperial Examination Hall.

There were many people gathered outside the Imperial Examination Hall.

Every candidate who can take part in the provincial examination is a local talent, and everyone has the opportunity to make the leap to success.

Their families, teachers and friends were waiting for them outside.

In addition, some restaurant and teahouse owners were also standing outside.

In the past, wealthy candidates who thought they had done very well in the exam would invite guests to a dinner and hold a grand banquet after the provincial examination.

Not long after.

The gate of the Imperial Examination Hall opened, and groups of candidates walked out slowly.

Most of the candidates lowered their heads, feeling that they had not answered well. Some smiled helplessly, mocking themselves that they might have to take the exam again in three years. Some were certain that they had no chance to take the palace exam and were ready to pack their bags and go home...

"This... this doesn't seem right! Why do I feel like everyone thinks I've failed the exam?"

"How difficult are the questions that Su Zhongcheng gave? The gap between these young candidates and Su Zhongcheng is really too big!"

"When Su Zhongcheng selects talents, he will certainly select talents based on the current national conditions of our dynasty. The questions he asks are certainly to select officials who can solve problems for our Song Dynasty. If the candidates cannot answer them, it can only be said that their knowledge and ability are still insufficient."

……

At this time.

In the crowd, a candidate walked up to his father and started crying.

"Dad, the policy paper proposed by Su Zhongcheng is too difficult. Is he... is he targeting me? I..."

Before the candidate could finish his words, there was a crisp "pop" sound.

His father actually slapped him in the face.

"Rebellious son, you actually dared to slander Su Zhongcheng in private. If you say such things again, your father will sever the father-son relationship with you!"

Immediately, the candidate stopped sobbing and dared not say another word.

This is the charm of Su Liang.

In the eyes of many people: Su Liang could not be wrong. If someone thinks that Su Liang was wrong, then he must have seen it wrong.

at the same time.

Zhao Zhen and other ministers of the Secretariat also received Su Liang's provincial examination papers.

Ouyang Xiu stroked his beard and said, "Jingming's questions are indeed of high standard. I think they are not difficult. They are just right and can select good talents!"

Wang Yaochen said approvingly: "It's really not that difficult. If I were to encounter this question, I would still be able to win the first place!"

Wen Yanbo and others all gave Ouyang Xiu and Wang Yaochen a cold look at the same time.

These two people, one was Emperor Wenzong of the Song Dynasty, and the other was the number one scholar in the fifth year of Tiansheng. In addition to their current experience in political affairs, they naturally did not find the questions difficult.

Wen Yanbo said very objectively: "The questions are indeed a bit difficult, but this will help to widen the gap and make the distinction between the talented and the ordinary more distinct. I support this!"

……

Zhao Zhen nodded slightly.

"After discussing with Lord Su, I have decided that the number of candidates for this provincial examination should not be less than 400. Do you have any objections?"

"I have no objection!" the ministers shouted in unison.

In previous years, the number of places for Jinshi candidates was generally between 200 and 300. With the current expansion, the number has increased by nearly half.

However, the Jinshi are divided into five categories.

The first and second classes were awarded the title of Jinshi, the third and fourth classes were awarded the title of Jinshi Chuan, and the fifth class was awarded the title of Tong Jinshi Chuan.

The differences among the five groups are also very large.

A first-class candidate can get an official position directly, and a second-class candidate can basically get an official position as well.

The careers of the last three were more bumpy, and some even had to take the imperial examinations and special examinations again in order to quickly obtain an official position.

Zhao Zhen continued, "As for the palace examination, it is to examine their strengths, and then all these 400 people will be sent to various states in Liao territory, Dongying Prefecture, and Goryeo Prefecture, and given different official positions. After a year, the court will decide whether to change their positions based on their performance."

"I have no objection." The ministers shouted again.

At present, the court is short of officials.

What is particularly lacking is young officials who are full of passion, integrity, and serve only to serve the court.

These people may not be the best choices, but they are the most suitable choices the court can make at the moment.

Those who pass the training will be promoted as special cases, and those who fail may be engaged in clerical affairs in the library.

This is completely different from the usual promotion based on seniority.

(End of this chapter)