Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 13

Zu Zeshen looked at the apricot list outside, and hurried back to congratulate Zhang Qian.These days Zhang Qian hid in his ancestor's house to read and write, he didn't dare to go out for half a step, he didn't know anything about the outside world, but his heart was always in suspense.This time I knew that I was Chinese. Although I was only No. 80, I thought that I had finally made it through, so I recognized my destiny.

Zu Zeshen deliberately played tricks, and asked, "Brother Zhang Qian, can you guess who the head name Huiyuan is?"

Zhang Qian thought for a while, shook his head and said, "I really can't guess."

Zu Ze smiled deeply: "Tell you, it's Chen Jing, your fellow countryman!"

Zhang Qian was startled and said, "So it's Chen Jing?"

Zu Zeshen said again: "It's even more strange! Less than an hour after the apricot list was posted, someone from the Ministry of Rites changed Chen Jing's name on the list to Chen Tingjing. Do you know why?"

Zhang Jian was confused, and asked: "Brother Zu, stop teasing me, did you make a mistake the first time?"

Only then did Zu Zeshen tell: "Chen Jing is lucky, the emperor bestowed his name with the character Ting, so there are two Chen Jings on this year's list!"

Zhang Qian sighed and sighed, and said: "Chen Jing, Chen Tingjing, that's amazing! Go, I have to go to the street to have a look!"

Zhang Jianfei ran to East Chang'an Avenue, and saw that the apricot list was crowded with people, those who got on the list were full of joy, and those who failed were downcast.Zhang Jian stood in front of the list for a while, and he knew that Chen Tingjing was already full of people in the city. He only knew that the court was still arresting him a few days ago, and now he won Huiyuan. Fortunately, he was blessed by heaven. !The palace test will be held another day, and the emperor will definitely choose him as the number one scholar!Things in this world are really unpredictable!

Looking at his name, Zhang Jian secretly called his ancestors and parents, thinking that the unfilial man has not spent more than ten years of studying in vain.Suddenly, a commotion was heard, and a few police officers came over.The policeman looked around, pointed at one person and asked, "What's your name?"

The man smiled and said, "Are you asking me? Do you know how to read? Look at the list! No. 21 in the test, Ma Gao!"

The policeman looked fierce, and said: "It is Ma Gao who I want to catch!"

The man named Ma Gao yelled sharply: "You don't want to live anymore? Dare to arrest Gongshi? After Lao Tzu's palace examination, at least he was born as a Jinshi!"

The catcher snorted, and said: "We haven't finished arresting the people on the list! You really should be arrested. Even if you win the number one prize someday, I will arrest you anyway! Take you away!"

The two police officers twisted the horse's height and tied it up.It turned out that that night, Chen Tingjing met a Ma Juren in front of the Baiyun Temple, and this was the one who urinated in the street humming a little song.Although he gave away the money for nothing, he has learned the Chinese style by his own ability.Unexpectedly, Li Zhenye confessed to the money he sent, but he still couldn't get out of the lawsuit.

Zhang Qian turned pale with fright, and left in a hurry.It turns out that the investigation of the fraud case in the examination room has not yet been completed, and it is uncertain when someone will confess.Zhang Qian wanted not to bother his ancestor's family anymore, so he went back to Happy Forest.Now seeing such an occasion, I had no choice but to go to Zu Zeshen's house again.I was worried that Chen Tingjing would blame him for not caring about Dashun, but since his own life was in danger, he couldn't care less.

Chen Tingjing came out of the palace and went straight to Happy Forest to find Dashun.There are also a few tributes who live in this store who have been listed. They already knew that Chen Tingjing was Huiyuan, so they all came to congratulate him.The store owner was even more flattering, saying that he had already seen Mr. Chen's wealth and status, and even the book boys he brought were smart and well-behaved.Chen Tingjing thanked everyone, saying that he came back to find Dashun.The shopkeeper said Mr. Chen, please sit down, and I will find the little one for you.Chen Tingjing smiled and said that he is still a scholar, so he is an adult.The storekeeper insisted that all the people living in the store are adults now, and the burdens that were not adults have left.

After the storekeeper finished speaking, he went to find someone, and came back quickly after a while, saying: "Master Chen, I have searched for the little one everywhere, why can't I see someone from Dashun?"

Chen Tingjing thought badly, so he asked: "Do you know where Mr. Zhang Qian, my fellow villager, has gone?"

The shopkeeper looked like he had done something wrong, bowed his head and replied: "Master Zhang entrusted Dashun to the younger one earlier, saying that he had to go out for a few days on business, but he still hasn't come back yet!"

Chen Tingjing was anxious again, and blamed Zhang Qian for being too unjust, but it was hard to say it out.The shopkeeper advised Mr. Chen to rest assured, that Dashun is very clever, he must have been playing somewhere, and will keep it and come back after dark.Just as he was talking, Dashun came into the store without making a sound.He looked up and saw Chen Tingjing, opened his mouth and burst into tears.Chen Tingjing went over to hug Dashun, but he didn't feel sour in his eyes.After all, I just escaped a life and death!It turned out that Dashun heard that the young master had won Huiyuan, so he ran to the street to read the list, but just missed Zhang Jian.

Chen Tingjing led Dashun back to Li's house, it was already dark.The whole family knew that Dashun was young, and that Yue Chengri had been looking for the young master every day, almost crying dry, saying that this child was a rare loyalty.

Chen Tingjing described in detail what the emperor summoned, but Yueyuan asked: "Brother Chen, what does the emperor look like? The day you went to the Gongyuan, the emperor was standing next to me and my father, but I just didn't see it. "

Chen Tingjing smiled and said, "I didn't see it today either."

Yueyuan felt strange and said, "My brother coaxed me to go to see the emperor, why didn't I see him?"

Chen Tingjing said: "I really know that he is the emperor, how dare I look at him?"

Yueyuan still didn't understand, and said: "I heard from my father that the emperor is about the same age as you, so you don't dare to look at him no matter what you look at?" Everyone laughed.

The whole night was talking about the emperor, Mr. Li said: "The emperor summoned Huiyuan, which is unprecedented in all dynasties, and gave you a name. This is the grace of Qitian!"

Yueyuan asked: "So, after the palace examination, the emperor must order Brother Chen to be the number one scholar?"

Tian's mother smiled and said: "According to me, this champion was picked up by Miss Yueyuan from the street."

Mr. Li blamed Mama Tian's abrupt words, but spoke softly in front of the guests, and said, "How do you say that?"

Before Tian's mother could answer, Chen Tingjing smiled and said, "I'm really grateful to sister Yueyuan. That day, the three gangs wanted to catch me and kill me. If she didn't lead me, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between south, east and north. She has already become a ghost under the knife. Sister Yueyuan is really my savior!"

Only then did Mr. Li understand what Mama Tian meant, he also laughed, and said: "I usually only blame this child for being too wild, not like a daughter's family, Mama Tian goes shopping, and she always pesters her out. This time, it's really lucky that she knows the way in the alley."

Yueyuan was very proud of herself, she only knew where to go, where there was a corner to play hide-and-seek, which house had the most beautiful stone lion in front of it, and which house had to be careful of dogs biting her. .Everyone is very happy today, chatting around the fire, and didn't go to rest until late at night.

Chen Tingjing asked Dashun many questions about Zhang Qian behind his back.He is a person who thinks of generosity in everything, and he must have other difficulties when he only thinks of Zhang Qian, and he no longer blames him in his heart.He knew that Zhang Qian had asked Gao Shiqi to send money, and now that Li Zhenye's case was still pending, he was inevitably a little worried.It is guessed that Zhang Qian left Happy Forest, probably because of this.

It was not until the day of the palace examination that Chen Tingjing met Zhang Qian in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.Zhang Jian congratulated Chen Tingjing first, and then said that because he was penniless, he had to entrust the shopkeeper to take care of Dashun, and went to find another friend himself.Chen Tingjing didn't take it to heart, but secretly rejoiced that nothing happened to Zhang Ban.On this day, the fortified barriers outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony are full of warriors with swords.The tributes were dressed in court clothes and waited outside the hall early.

Zhang Jian was naturally very happy for Chen Tingjing, and said: "Everyone says brother, you should get rid of Yuan first, and then meet Yuan again. It seems that you will be number one again."

Chen Tingjing shook his head and said with a smile: "If you can answer your brother's auspicious words, you must be well blessed by your ancestors. But winning three yuan is rare in ancient times. Brother, I dare not expect extravagant expectations!"

During the speech, the corrector came over, and the tributes all fell silent.

After entering the Hall of Supreme Harmony, I saw that the seats in the hall had already been set up, and the test papers were placed on the table.The tributes sat down one by one, holding their breath and not daring to look around casually.All the princes and ministers were present, lined up with the examiners and stood solemnly.Chen Tingjing went through this turmoil, and he didn't feel any stage fright. He read the exam paper carefully, closed his eyes for a long time, and did not write calmly until the article was in his mind.

The palace examination was held until before sunset, and the gongshi carefully handed in the test papers and came out with nothing.After leaving the hall, everyone didn't dare to talk too much, until they left the Meridian Gate, they flattered each other and said good things.Zhang Jian never knew how Chen Tingjing came here these days, and now he has time to ask.Chen Tingjing had scruples, so he didn't talk about it in detail, he just said that he went out at night and met a bad guy accidentally, so he fled to Mr. Li's house.It happened that Li Jin was killed that night, and he was accused of being the murderer, so he had to go into hiding.Zhang Jian straightly said that this matter is really strange, it can be used as a storyteller.It was late, the two held hands and said goodbye.Chen Tingjing still went back to Li's house, and Zhang Qian had already settled down in the Shanxi Guild Hall.

The examination papers for the palace examination were completed soon, and the imperial court chose an auspicious day, and the emperor personally ordered the first rank.Wei Xiangshu and other reviewing ministers preliminarily selected the top ten, and sent the examination papers to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to present to the emperor.As usual, the examination papers were left unsealed, and each of them was affixed with a draft yellow label.The emperor was reading the papers in the Xinuang Pavilion, and the princes and ministers waited quietly in the main hall.

When it was almost noon, a eunuch suddenly came out to deliver an order: "My lords, the ten examination papers for the head armor and the second armor have been read by the emperor. Please go in and unseal them!"

Wei Xiangshu and others bowed in, and saw the emperor's face full of joy, and said: "After reading these ten examination papers, I am deeply pleased that the country has a wealth of talents, and the loyalty of scholars is commendable. There are scholars in the world who are used by me, and the country will last forever. ! You drafted the ranking of the first class, and I will approve it. Wei Xiangshu, come and unseal it."

Wei Xiangshu Xie En stepped forward, took the first exam paper first, and slowly unsealed it.His eyes suddenly lit up, and the first name turned out to be Chen Tingjing again.The emperor exclaimed: "Ah? It's him again! Chen Tingjing! All the ministers, he is the number one scholar in my heart. If I have selfishness, I can unseal it and have a look. I will decide on Chen Tingjing first. But I just believe in God! God willing!"

The princes and ministers all bowed their hands to congratulate the emperor for being such a pillar, but only Wei Xiangshu remained silent.He looked solemn and sighed secretly.The emperor felt that Wei Xiangshu was strange, and asked: "Wei Xiangshu, why don't you speak?"

Wei Xiangshu hesitated a little, and said: "I have hidden worries!"

The emperor asked: "What worries do you have? Let me listen to you."

Wei Xiangshu said: "Chen Tingjing's Shanxi Township Examination is Xie Yuan, which is already too famous. He was summoned by the emperor in the name of Huiyuan. This is a great favor. The emperor gave him the name of Jinkouyuya It is a great favor. Now the emperor nominates him as the No. [-] Scholar again, and it is a great favor again! I am afraid that the heaven's favor is too heavy, which will be bad for him! The tree is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it!"

The emperor pondered for a moment, and said: "I don't worry about the disadvantages of him being the number one scholar. If he is really a pillar, who can stop me from using him in the future? But after hearing what you said, I remembered what I said It’s just a sentence. Mingzhu, do you still remember?”

Mingzhu stepped forward in fear, knelt down and said: "I remember, that sentence was also said by the emperor to my humble minister, but I dare not say it."

The emperor looked at Mingzhu and said: "It doesn't matter if you don't say it, I don't want you to say it either. Just remember, just be vigilant at all times!"

The princes and ministers didn't know what to do, they just looked at each other.It turns out that the emperor said that Chen Tingjing is so young and mature, if he is promoted to the officialdom, he will be a traitor if he is not a capable minister.The emperor said this for Ming Zhu himself, how dare he let the world know this!
The results of the palace examination were released on this day, and the new scholars first stood outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony and waited in order.Princes, ministers, civil and military officials lined up on both sides to participate in the congratulations.Everyone knew that this year's champion must be Chen Tingjing, and they all quietly looked at him.Chen Tingjing knew that many people were looking at him, and he always felt itchy on his face, as if his face was full of mosquito bites.

All of a sudden, the classical music was played, and the Jinshi held their breath and looked ahead.Wei Xiangshu walked slowly up to the front of the hall, followed by the officials of Honglu Temple carrying the imperial list.Scholars turned their heads to look at the imperial list, wanting to see the top ranks clearly.It's just that today the sun is high, and the imperial list is shining brightly, but the names on it are hard to see clearly.

In the sound of the classical music, Wei Xiangshu sang loudly: "On the auspicious day of April 15, 21th year of Shunzhi, I will test the tribute scholars in the world, and the first one will be awarded Jinshi and No. 1, Sun Cheng'en!"

Jinshi discussed softly, how could it be Sun Chengen?Chen Tingjing could hardly believe his ears, and suddenly felt that the sun was extremely glaring.The Jinshi were a little restless, but immediately quieted down.The court etiquette had already been ordered, and no one dared to speak loudly, and no one dared to look around.But Chen Tingjing always felt that everyone was watching his jokes, and his face turned as red as charcoal.Chen Tingjing could barely hear Wei Xiangshu calling someone's name next.It wasn't until his own name was sung that Chen Tingjing came back to his senses.It turned out that he was the first in the second class, and he was born as a Jinshi.

After the singing, the Royal Road of the Meridian Gate is wide open.The officials of Honglu Temple carried the Jinke imperial list, and a yellow umbrella was placed on top of the imperial list.Wei Xiangshu led the Xinke Jinshi to follow the Jinbang, walked through the Meridian Gate Royal Road, left the Forbidden City, and went straight to Chang'an Avenue.Behind Wei Xiangshu are the number one scholar, the second place, and Tanhua, in order.Both sides of the street were full of spectators, Mr. Li led Yueyuan and Dashun to wait on the street early.Yueyuan waved vigorously at Chen Tingjing, but he didn't see it.Seeing that Chen Tingjing was in the fourth place, Mr. Li knew that he was in the top two.

When Huangbang arrived at Erlong Pavilion on the east side of Chang'an Street, Yin Xiangbingdao of Shuntian Mansion had long been waiting there.After hanging up the imperial list, Xiang Bingdao dressed Sun Chengen in red and flowers as usual, and toasted each of the number one scholar, the second place in the list, and Tanhua.After the wine was finished and the ceremony was completed, another official brought a big white horse, and Xiang Bingdao personally helped the number one scholar on the horse and paraded through the streets.The Xinke Scholars then bowed and bowed, and followed the white horse back to the road.

The Jinshi left, and the common people flocked to the gold list to watch.It was only then that Yueyuan realized that Big Brother Chen was not the number one scholar, so she tugged at her father's sleeve anxiously and asked, "What's going on, Dad? People all over the street say that Brother Chen is the number one scholar?"

Mr. Li was already very happy, and said with a smile: "Silly boy, the emperor has the final say on who will be the number one scholar, not the people on the street. Yueyuan, your Brother Chen won the top two, and you are already a man." It's a dragon and a phoenix!"

Dashun laughed so hard that he couldn't close his mouth from ear to ear, he just said: "If the masters and old ladies at home find out, they will be so happy!"

Yueyuan wanted to follow along to watch the fun, Mr. Li said: "Let's go back and forget it, you brother Chen is very busy at the moment! Today fellow villagers are going to treat guests to dinner at the guild hall, and tomorrow we have to go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to thank the emperor." , you have to eat the Luming Banquet from the Ministry of Rites, you have to go to the Confucian Temple to pay a big gift, and you have to write your name on the Jinshi stele outside Dacheng Gate."

Yueyuan had no choice but to go back with her father, but she said on the way: "It's so hard to be a Jinshi!"

(End of this chapter)