Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

"Defang, tomorrow my father will give the examination to the students of the scientific examination in the Chongde Hall, so you should go and see it together."

"Father, is brother going too?"

"Go too. Well, go back and rest. If you have nothing to do, go and accompany your mother."

"Yes, father, my son will leave." Defang returned to her small courtyard, and Baili held the treasure belt and said, "Your Highness, this treasure belt is really beautiful."

"This is dedicated to the father by the Lord of Wuyue. It looks good."

"Yeah, um, my lord, look at the pearls and gemstones on this treasure belt. They are as shiny as if they were oiled. There are at least 200 of them."

"Almost, it feels heavy when you hold it. If I hang it on my waist, I probably won't be able to walk anymore, hehehe"

"Little Highness, why did His Majesty give you this treasure belt? Is it because you study hard and practice martial arts?"

"It should be." Defang looked at Baili, "Baili, go to the Golden Palace with me tomorrow."

"To the Golden Palace? Your Highness, is there a banquet tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, my father will give a palace test to the students of the scientific examination, and my father said that my brother and I will go."

"Then His Majesty will appoint the number one scholar tomorrow?"

"Yes, I can still read their exam papers." Defang said, "Students who can pass the palace exam must have outstanding talents and learning. I want to read their articles carefully and study."

"Your highness, your article is also very good. Lord Zhao Fu and Lord Wang Zhaosu both said that your highness' article is good."

"What's the use of that?" Defang sighed, "I can't take the scientific examination, and I don't know if my article can be awarded a Jinshi."

"Of course I can. Your Highness, you have a famous teacher, and you are diligent in studying. If you take the scientific examination, you must be the number one scholar."

"You will make me happy, go and put away the treasure belt."

"Your Highness, don't you wear it?"

"I can wear such a precious treasure belt. The one bestowed by the emperor must be put away carefully. Besides," Defang smiled, "it's too heavy, and it's tiring to walk while wearing it, hehehe"

On the second day, Defang put on his official uniform and hat, and brought Baili to the back hall of Chongde Hall. At this time, Taizu was drinking tea, and Dezhao was already standing by. .”

"Don't be too polite, get up." Taizu stood up, "Dezhao, Defang, come with father."

"Yes, father." Dezhao Defang followed Taizu to the front of the hall. At this time, there were three officials standing under the imperial steps, each holding a tray. Seeing Taizu kneel down, Taizu ordered someone to give Dezhao Defang Moved a chair and sat on one side, and then said to the officials, "Three dear ministers, how is the scientific examination going?"

The first chapter of the examiner Song came forward, "Report to Your Majesty, there are a total of 620 students from all walks of life in this scientific examination. After several paper tests, there are 17 people who are the most outstanding in literary talent. The ministers have ordered them to wait for His Majesty outside the hall." Name it."

"A group of 17 people, um, presented their test papers."

"Yes" the waiter presented three trays to Taizu, which were the test papers, rosters, and judges' judgments of 17 people. Taizu asked, "Among these 17 people, can the three have the primary selection of the champion?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have read several test papers of these seventeen students. Among them, Wang Sizong from Fenzhou and Chen Shi from Shangzhou are the most outstanding. They are not only rigorous in their diction, but also have solid arguments. The poems are beautiful and not empty or complicated. "

"So they're on par?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, yes, I don't know who is better, and please ask Your Majesty's holy eye roll paper and imperial pen to hand-pick it.