Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

Dezhao looked at him, "Defang, I'm going to see my father, let them all leave the palace."

Defang nodded. After Dezhao left, Wang Sizong, who was under the imperial steps, wiped his sweat and ran to Zhang Song to hold his arm. "Master, Your Majesty has already returned to the apse. Students, please help you up."

Zhang Song looked up at Wang Sizong, and saw that his face was flushed and sweating, his clothes were disheveled and wrinkled, and he was panting. Zhang Song actually shed tears. Seeing this, Wang Sizong hurriedly asked, "Master! What's wrong with you?" ? Is there any discomfort? The student will help you up to see the doctor."

Zhang Song pushed away Wang Sizong's hand, shook his head and said, "For most of my life, I never dreamed that the students in my exam would use sumo wrestling to win the championship, you! You, the champion, wrestled with the second place. Today When you leave this hall, everyone in the world will say that you, Wang Sizong, are the number one sumo wrestler, and Chen Shi is the second in sumo wrestling. Look at the two of you now! Sigh! What a disgrace to all the scholars in the world!"

Hearing this, Wang Sizong froze in place, looked at Zhang Song for a long time, then gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Defang saw that something was going to happen, and hurried down the imperial steps. At this time, he heard Wang Sizong say, "Teacher! The students are in court today." Although people will laugh at you if you win the champion in sumo wrestling, the students will never do anything that insults the scholars. The students swear to their teachers! They will definitely be good officials in the future, and they will not be ridiculed in the history books!"

Defang walked down the imperial steps and came in front of several people, "My lord Zhang, the champion and the second place are both well-educated people. After several years of hard work, I was able to face the golden palace. Only the king of the Song Dynasty can select the champion in the palace examination. I believe that the champion will be the champion in the future." They will surely become the talents of our Great Song Dynasty, and Juque and Yeguang will never lose their original sharp edge and brilliance because of a few dust in the world."

Zhang Song sighed, closed his eyes and nodded, "What His Royal Highness said is true, what he said is true."

"Master Zhang, the students outside are still waiting for the news of His Majesty's hand-picked No. [-] scholar."

"Yes, yes." Zhang Song wiped away his tears, and Wang Sizong bent over to help him up, "Men, my student helped you there."

Defang asked Baili to bring the list written by Taizu from the imperial case to Zhang Song. They saluted Defang and left the Chongde Hall.

The next night, Taizu suddenly summoned Zhang Song, Zhang Song hurriedly put on his official uniform and came to the gate of the palace, Wang Jien came over, "Master Zhang, why did you come here?"

"Eunuch Wang, I've been busy with scientific examinations these days, so I'm really tired, so I went to bed early."

"Your Majesty is waiting, let's go."

"Your Majesty" Zhang Song asked, "Why did Your Majesty call me into the palace so late? Could it be because my words yesterday angered His Majesty?"

"I'm not very clear about this, but His Majesty is indeed a little unhappy."

Zhang Song sighed, adjusted his clothes and hats, and followed Wang Jien into the Chongzheng Hall. At this time, the Taizu was still reading the memorial, and Defang was watching something at the side. Zhang Song went up and bowed, "Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live!" , I see that the driver is late, please forgive me, Your Majesty"

"It's okay, let's get back together"

"Thank you, Your Majesty" Zhang Song didn't get up, but kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty's words yesterday offended His Majesty, and I would like to take the blame, but I don't know my heart, so I dare to ask Your Majesty to give me an explanation, so that I will be willing to die even if I die! "

Taizu looked at Zhang Song and smiled, "Is Aiqing blaming me?"

Zhang Song straightened up and cupped his hands and said, "I don't dare, but the Chongde Palace is the hall of my Great Song Dynasty, and Wang Sizong and Chen Shi are the number two scholars in the new discipline, and they are the top of all the students, and the literati in the world flaunt it. Aren’t you afraid of making scholars feel cold when you win the Golden Palace Sumo?” Zhang Song bowed his head and fell to the ground, “Your Majesty! You have always treated literati well, why did you issue such an edict yesterday!”