Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 1

In the autumn month of the 14th year of Shunzhi, the city of Taiyuan was busier than usual.Ding You had just passed the township examination, and most of the scholars hadn't returned home, so they stayed in the city anxiously waiting for the results to be announced.All the sage books were left behind, and I was free for a few days.Singing houses, wine shops, and teahouses are full of scholars, and the fairy dress feather fans are romantic and suave.Or go to worship Jin Temple, climb Longshan, look for monks and visit Taoism, sing poetry and wine, so happy.

Half a mile east of the main entrance of the Confucian Temple, there is a Qingyun Inn, in which there lives a scholar named Chen Jing, a native of Zezhou, Shanxi, who is twenty years old.Only he seldom goes out, and likes to stay in the backyard of the inn, reading and playing the piano all day long, leisurely by himself.His Zhong Niqin is in his hand all day long.There is an ancient pagoda tree in the backyard, the tree is high and dry.Every morning, the domestic helper Dashun didn't care about anything else, he took out the Zhong Niqin and put it on the stone table under the ancient tree.Chen Jing had already washed and washed, and was reading aloud in the court.The shopkeeper got up early, first he heard Chen Jing reading, and then he heard the sound of the piano.He was so curious that when other people came out of Qiuwei, it was like a donkey rolling around after unloading the mill.Those who drink outside, those who fight cocks, and those who go shopping in brothels, how can there be no scholars!Only this Mr. Chen stays in the inn every day, either saying poetry or clouds, or high mountains and flowing water.

Dashun is only 13 years old, after all, he has a lot of playfulness.After breakfast every day, seeing the young master started reading and playing the piano, he slipped out for a stroll.He always likes to go to places where there are many people. Where there are cockfights, where there are stories, and where there are quarrels, he will go in and have a look.While playing, I forgot the time, and suddenly thought that it was getting late, so I ran back to the inn.Dashun saw that the young master didn't mean to be angry, so he told what he heard and saw.

Dashun didn't go out for a long time that day, and ran back quickly, ignoring the rules, and shouted loudly: "Master, you've got a hit, you've got a hit!"

Chen Jingqin's sound stopped abruptly, and he turned around and asked, "Which place is the number?"

Dashun patted his head and said, "How many? I didn't count."

Chen Jing stood up suddenly: "Not counted? It must not be number one!"

Da Shun said: "Young Master, it's great to be able to win the exam, how can you win No.1!"

Chen Jingfu sat down again and bowed his head for a long time.He thought that in the eighth year of Shunzhi, he took the boy's exam and was admitted to Lu'an Prefecture School, but he got No.1.Chen Jing was only 14 years old that year.He went to the exam with his father, but his father failed the exam.He was taught by his father since he was a child, and when he took the exam, his father was not as good as his son.Although my father felt that his face was dull, he always liked to talk about it as a good story.In a few years, Chen Jing's name spread throughout the three Jin Dynasties, and everyone knew it.

Dashun seemed to have done something wrong, so he didn't dare to say more, and stood with his hands down.Da Shun has been with the young master since he was ten years old, and he knows that the young master doesn't like to talk too much, so he can't see his temper.But Dashun was afraid of him, so he was very careful in what he said and what he did.Chen Jing got up suddenly and walked out without giving any instructions.Dashun hurriedly sent Guqin into the guest room, went out to catch up with Chen Jing, and followed behind with his head bowed.

The horoscope wall outside the Confucian Temple is where the posters are posted, surrounded by many people, noisy.Standing under the list are two soldiers with swords, their faces dumbfounded, like two clay bodhisattvas.Chen Jing stepped forward and heard a few failed candidates complaining, saying that the examiner had collected the money, the wine bags and rice bags were all won, and the Confucian Temple had become the Temple of Wealth.Several scholars rolled up their sleeves and waved their fists, clamoring to see the examiner.Chen Jing didn't recognize them, so he didn't bother to say hello, only looking for his own name from beginning to end.He finally saw his name, ranked No. 20 and eighth.Looking up at the top of the list, Jie Yuan's name was Zhu Xigui, so he deliberately asked, "Zhu Xigui? I've admired his name for a long time!"

It turns out that the scholars all know that Zhu Xigui, who took the exam this year, once wrote the word "gui" as "chong", and everyone secretly called him Zhu Xichong.This joke has long been spread among the scholars, and no one takes this surname Zhu seriously, only saying that he is here to accompany the exam.Who would have thought that he actually won the Yuan!Just at this time, a rich man came on horseback, glanced triumphantly at the imperial list, tilted his head to look around, and then glanced at Chen Jing: "I am Zhu Xigui, the first name in the provincial examination, called Jieyuan, Offended everyone!"

Chen Jing looked up and asked, "Are you that Zhu Xigui who can't even write his name?"

Before Chen Jing could say anything further, someone had already spoken: "Zhu Xichong is actually the first name Jieyuan in the provincial examination! We Shanxi people are so glorious!"

Chen Jing snorted and said, "You are so fat!"

Zhu Xigui didn't seem to be angry, and asked with a smile, "Who are you?"

Chen Jing cupped his hands and said, "Chen Jing is in Zezhou!"

Zhu Xigui sneered again, and said, "Chen Jing? Stay and have a look. Ha, you almost lost your name to Sun Shan. How dare you speak in front of Ben Jieyuan?"

Chen Jing said angrily: "Zhu Xichong, you are really thick-skinned!"

Zhu Xigui laughed loudly and said: "From now on, I, Zhu Xichong has become Zhu Xilong!"

Chen Jing said: "Zhu Xichong, you have also become a juren, and there will be no scholars in the world!"

Zhu Xigui suddenly turned fierce: "Chen Jing, how dare you insult Xie Yuan? I'm going to teach you the rules today!"

Zhu Xigui raised his whip to beat him.With quick eyes and quick hands, Da Shun grabbed Zhu Xigui and pulled him off the horse.Although Dashun is small, but his movements are nimble, Zhu Xigui was caught off guard, and fell so loudly.All the scholars took advantage of the chaos to relieve their anger and rushed towards Zhu Xigui.Zhu Xigui also came with others, but there were so many people, so he was anxious to circle around the crowd.The two clay bodhisattvas under the list immediately came to life, and they wanted to step forward to persuade them, but they couldn't get close!Dashun was clever, seeing the chaos in the scene, he pulled Chen Jing and squeezed out slowly.

Suddenly, with a bang, a melon hit the imperial list.As soon as the melon started, stones and clods rained down on the imperial list.Not long after, there was no longer a whole word on the imperial list.A stone bounced back and hit Chen Jing on the shoulder.Da Shun hurriedly pulled Chen Jing out, saying: "Young master, let's go back and forget about hitting our heads!" The more Chen Jing thought about it, the more breathless he was, and he went back to the inn and yelled at Da Shun to pack his luggage and go home today.Dashun said that the luggage could be packed, and if he wanted to leave, he would leave tomorrow, and he had to hire a carriage.

Chen Jing was full of resentment, and the shadows of those examiners were always in his mind.Before the exam started, several examiners, all from the capital, paraded through the streets in open sedan chairs, and all the scholars lined the road to pay homage.This is an ancient system, very solemn.A scholar didn't know what to do, so he went up to post a post, but was dismissed by the examiner.Seeing this situation, scholars all said that the examiners are all stern, and they are not afraid of anyone who will go to the camp.How do you know that in the end it is so clear?
After a long time, I suddenly heard people's voices outside the inn, and the shopkeeper came over and said: "Now this scholar is outrageous, really outrageous!" Chen Jing didn't ask what happened, and ran to the street to have a look.It turned out that some scholars carried the statue of Confucius through the streets, and the statue was actually wearing the costume of the God of Wealth! "From now on, we will not worship the sage Confucius, but God of Wealth! There is no use in studying! If you earn more money, are you afraid that you won't be selected?" the scholar shouted, waving his fists.Both sides of the street were full of spectators, all dumbfounded.An old man cried out: "You have done evil, you can't be so absurd, you will be punished!" Chen Jing knew that this was no joke, so he stepped forward and pulled an acquaintance, and persuaded him softly: "This can't be done, the government can't do it!" Arrested, I will be beheaded!" The man said: "Scholar's fame is life, and we have no fame, and we will die as if we were dead, and we are afraid of losing our heads? You have been hit anyway, so if you don't come to join in the fun!"

Seeing that everyone didn't listen, Chen Jing followed behind, only seeking advice from acquaintances.Chen Jing walked behind and didn't think about going back.He seemed to be possessed, his mind was empty and hot.The scholar carried the statue of Confucianism around the street and returned to the Confucian Temple.The statue of Confucius was carried away from the Minglun Hall of the Confucian Temple, and it has been carried back now.The statue of Confucius was put back in place, but it was very funny because he was wearing the costume of the God of Wealth.Someone grabbed a few pennies and threw them towards the statue of Confucius.

Suddenly, fierce shouts came from outside the Confucian Temple.Looking back, dozens of yamen servants and soldiers rushed in with long sticks.The yamen servants and soldiers did not distinguish between indiscriminate, and when they saw anyone, they would hit everyone on the head, knock them down to the ground, and tie them up.Where have readers seen such a scene?I was so scared that my face was ashes.Those who fled quickly with hands and feet, and those who were strong in the early stage were beaten to pieces.Chen Jing thought he was fine, and still stood there without moving.They didn't care so much, Chen Jing and the seven people who didn't run away were all tied up.

The person was called by Wu Daoyi, the governor of Shanxi.He had just had lunch and was dozing off under the grape arbor in the back yamen.Suddenly someone came to report that the scholar was carrying the statue of Confucius to mess around in the street, and even put on the clothes of the God of Wealth on the stage on Confucius.Wu Dao hated being sleepy and being quarreled, and was very irritable. After asking a few rough questions, he called for someone, and at the same time shouted for the examiner to come to the yamen to talk.

Wu Dao cursed a few words, changed his clothes and went to the signing room.After waiting for a long time, the yamen servant sent in a list: "Lord Futai, here are a few people arrested, seven in total. Among them, only this Chen Jing was selected, and the others were all failed."

Wu Daoyi glanced at the roster hastily, and said, "Is that the Zezhou prodigy Chen Jing? Why is he joining in the fun!" At this time, another yamen servant came in to reply, saying that the examiners, Mr. Zhang and Mr. Xiang, were waiting in the second hall. with.Wu Daoyi was not angry, and he was not afraid that they would hear him. He said, "What are you doing in the second hall? Wait for me to invite them? Tell them to come to the signing room!" The yamen servant went out in response.Not long after, Zhang Gongming, the chief examiner, and Xiang Chengsheng, the deputy examiner, entered the signing room.They all knew that something had happened, so they didn't care about politeness, and their faces were not very good-looking.

Wu Daoyi didn't glance at anyone, lowered his head, and asked coldly: "Tell me, what's going on!"

Zhang Gongming looked at Chengsheng, wanting him to speak first.But Xiang Chengsheng was only confused, so Zhang Gongming had no choice but to say: "We are ordered to select scholars, and we follow the rules and regulations without any partiality. It is purely slanderous to say that we accept bribes! Those scholars who failed the list are ignorant and just Make trouble!"

Only then did Xiang Chengsheng agree, "Master Zhang's words are absolutely true! Those who failed the exam made the school a mess, and even wore the clothes of the God of Wealth Bodhisattva on the stage on Confucius."

Wu Daoyi didn't wait to finish speaking to Chengsheng, he was furious: "You are all examiners appointed by the emperor, sent from the capital. After the court investigates, I will lose my black hat, but you will lose your heads!"

After all, Zhang Gongming is also the servant of the Ministry of Rites, and he really couldn't stand Wu Daoyi's black face, so he said: "Master Futai, I, Zhang, can swear to the Tianmeng that if there is any unclean place, there will be its own national law there. However, after all, the matter happened in Shanxi, and it is hard to shirk your responsibility! It is useless for you to get angry at us, we are grasshoppers on a vine, we have to take care of each other!"

Wu Daoyi looked up to the sky and sighed, shook his head and said, "I'm really unlucky! Well, you guys quickly draft a note and report the whole story to the court. First, let's clarify the section about the troubles caused by the scholars. After we have inquired about the case, we will report the details. You can't hide it!"

The matter was urgent, and I didn't care to ask the clerk to write it on behalf of the writer. The three of them gathered in the signing room, and quickly drafted the note.Wu Dao read and re-read the booklet, but was still worried, and said: "Master Zhang, you are the emperor's literary attendant, and you have to be careful about the writing, the more appropriate the better." Zhang Gongming said a few words modestly, and raised his hand to accept it. After drafting the manuscript, we pondered it over and over again.The three felt that every word was solid, so they formally transcribed it clearly.

Zhezi was still on the way, Wu Daoyi didn't wait for the court's decree, he asked Chen Jing and others for a few rounds, and then locked Zhu Xigui.Wu Daoyi wanted to do it as soon as possible, in order to get rid of himself completely.Zhu Xigui didn't confess, but Wu Dao had guessed that he must have benefited from others.Zhang Gongming and Xiang Chengsheng must have a lot to do with this case, but the court didn't say anything, Wu Daoyi didn't dare to do anything with them.You might as well shut Zhu Xigui up, because after the fact, you can see that he has figured things out.That Zhu Xigui is an idiot, even though he refused to utter a single word in class, when he entered the prison, he even boasted, "Even if I, Zhu, just gave me money, if I investigate it, it's a big deal that I don't want this juren! I Zhu With thousands of hectares of fertile land and hundreds of horses and chariots, you can enjoy endless glory and wealth! What about you? If you want to go to school and humiliate Confucius, you will be beheaded!"

About ten days later, the emperor saw the excerpt and immediately summoned several ministers including Suo Suo and Aobai.That day Soni and Aobai made an appointment to meet the saint together, but when they arrived outside Qianqing Palace, the eunuch on duty just pouted quietly and didn't announce them an audience.Suddenly hearing a crackling sound inside, I knew that the emperor had dropped the teacup.Several ministers had already been waiting outside the hall, but they pretended not to hear anything.Aobai raised his eyes to look at Sonny, but Sonny only looked down at the gold bricks on the ground.

In the Qianqing Palace, the eunuch bowed his back and carefully went to tidy up.The emperor couldn't see anyone at the moment, and kept yelling to get out!The eunuch quickly picked up the tiles on the ground and bowed to leave.

Inner Eunuch Wu Liangfu played courageously: "Your Majesty, Sony, Aobai and other ministers are waiting outside."

The emperor roared: "I don't want to see them! I told you the day before yesterday that something happened in the Jiangnan examination room, and the scholars beat the examiner and made a big fuss in the government school; and told me yesterday that something happened in the Shanxi examination room, and the statue of Kong Sheng was wearing the god of wealth." Lord’s clothes! Still want to tell me what happened today?”

Wu Liangfu did not dare to say that the ministers were all summoned by the emperor, but said: "They are here to ask for an order, how to deal with the case in the Shanxi examination hall."

The emperor smiled coldly, very scary: "I knew it, they will collect the money, and I will do the murder!"

Wu Liangfu said: "Everyone in the world knows that His Majesty is merciful!"

(End of this chapter)