Aspirations

Chapter 65

Three days later, the palace test.

Early in the morning, under the leadership of officials from the Ministry of Rituals, Xia Xiang and others dressed up and learned how to salute and many precautions. Then, under the guidance of the servants, they lined up in two rows and entered the palace to have an audience.

Xia Xiang was at the end of the line, ahead of him were Teng Zhengyuan and Wu Yongwang.The two looked solemnly, and when they saw Xia Xiang, they just nodded slightly, as if they didn't know each other.

Zhang Hou and Shen Bao were in the front row, they both nodded and did not speak.

At the beginning of Daxia, the capital was Tokyo, and after going north, the capital was settled in Beijing.The Imperial Palace in Tokyo was thus left idle.Compared with the Tokyo Imperial Palace, the Shangjing Imperial Palace is much more magnificent in terms of scale and organizational system.

The Shangjing Imperial Palace was built along the central line of Shangjing. There are more than 70 large and small palaces and more than [-] houses. It is divided into two parts: the outer court and the inner court.The center of the Outer Dynasty is the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony, collectively referred to as the Three Great Halls, where grand ceremonies are held.The center of the inner court is Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Palace, and Kunning Palace, collectively referred to as the Housan Palace, which is the main palace where the emperor and empress live.

The place where the emperor's palace was tested was the Hall of Jiangwu.

A total of 110 candidates were admitted for this subject.

Xia Xiang stepped into the palace for the first time. Although he was full of curiosity, he didn't dare to look around. He just peeked a few times.I saw that the roofs are covered with glazed tiles of various colors, solemn and solemn.The main hall is mainly yellow, and there are also green secondary halls. Blue, purple, black, emerald, malachite green, sapphire blue and other colorful glazes are mostly used in gardens or glazed walls.

The morning sun rises, reflecting the entire palace complex with splendor, red walls and green bricks, cascading like mountains, which is a prosperous atmosphere.

Entering the palace from the main entrance, after walking for about half an hour, I came to the Hall of Martial Arts.

After Xia Xiang followed all the examiners in, he saw a gauze curtain in the middle of the hall, and a person sitting behind the curtain, who could not be seen clearly, only heard the waiter yell, and everyone knelt down to the ground and shouted long live.

A majestic voice came from behind the gauze curtain: "Pingshen."

If others heard it, they might not think much about it. Xia Xiang knew medical skills, but his heart jumped when he heard it.If the person behind the veil is really a saint today, judging from his voice, his breath is slightly insufficient, and it is obvious that he has not recovered.

Thinking about it again, I secretly laughed, how could there be such a strange idea that the person sitting high in the Hall of Martial Arts, who is not the current sage?If it was someone else, wouldn't they have committed a sin of great treason?Furthermore, they are separated by gauze curtains and do not show their true face. It should be that the emperor's dragon body is not healthy, and he does not want Kaozi to see the emperor's serious illness.

Xia Xiang sat on his seat—seats had been arranged on both sides of the hall, and the examinees who had been ordered in advance took their seats in an orderly manner.Except for Zhang Hou, the rest of the people saw Shengyan for the first time, and they were all excited and awed.

Zhang Hou's seat was fairly in front, just sitting opposite to Shen Bao.Sitting on the right side of Shen Bao is a person, about twenty years old, fair and beardless, with thin face and light eyebrows, small nose and small eyes, high bony cheeks, thin lips, and indifferent eyes, revealing a mean look.

When Shen Bao was looking for Xia Xiang, he accidentally met the eyes of the person on the right, he smiled lightly and nodded.The person on the right gave him a cold look, then turned his head away, as if talking to him a few more words would lower his status.

Shen Bao laughed at himself, his eyes found Xia Xiang, he nodded and smiled at Xia Xiang.Just as he was about to look away, he saw Teng Zhengyuan and Wu Yongwang again.

Teng Zhengyuan and Wu Yongwang are also sitting opposite each other, in the middle.The two of them didn't look around like the others, but sat upright without looking sideways, as if they were closing their eyes and resting.

It was different from what Xia Xiang thought. In today's palace examination, apart from the emperor behind the curtain, there were three examiners, Wen Changju, Gao Hai, Chen Feng, and Zhang Ze, and there were several more examiners. No one else was waiting.Not to mention the Third Prince, even King Qing who was in charge of the Ministry of Rites was nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps in the eyes of other examiners, it is a great honor to see the holy face, and they don't think too much about other things, but Xia Xiang knows that in previous years, in addition to the emperor and the chief examiner, there will also be the prime minister, the Ministry of Rites and officials. Ministry officials are listed, why is it so deserted this year?Or is it so sloppy to engage in?Hou Pingpan, as the prime minister, did not appear in the palace examination, which is really unreasonable.

After thinking about it, he couldn't figure it out. After all, the Sacred Heart is unpredictable, so Xia Xiang stopped thinking about it.Although the emperor did not show up directly, he still presided over the palace examination behind the curtain. From this, it can be seen that one is that the emperor's condition should have improved, and the other is that the emperor personally presided over the palace examination, so that this year's candidates will still be the disciples of the emperor.

Wen Changju looked calm, with a confident expression, no longer the dejected face when he talked with Gao Haiye. After he said a few words of thanks to the emperor, he turned to the topic: "With the permission of the Holy One, today's palace exam , everyone should keep in mind the teachings of the sages and sages, write moral articles, and don't be greedy for speed and blindly advance."

From Taizu to Taizong, a total of more than [-] champions were selected because they were the first to hand in the papers during the palace examination. Suddenly, it became a common practice to determine the winner by speed, which shocked many examiners who liked to think carefully and use words carefully.As a result, they only seek speed but not knowledge accumulation. Some scholars even flatter each other, driving up the worth of those who write sloppy articles in order to create popularity.Those who have already qualified for the exam are proud of it, and the school children who are preparing to take the exam also follow suit, gradually forming a flashy style of writing.

Later, a minister sent a letter to denounce such unhealthy behaviors. Taizong decided not to use the speed of writing as the criterion for determining the ranking.

"Today's question is "Minjian Fu." Wen Changju glanced quickly over the examiners present, and after a brief pause on Cai Bei and Xia Xiang, he coughed lightly, "Then I will start answering the questions."

Although the examinees were both in awe and curious about the emperor behind the gauze curtain, they also knew that this was not the time to admire the beauty of the sky. If the articles written by the pen were appreciated by the emperor, they would not worry about becoming a celebrity in front of the emperor in the future, so everyone was thinking hard. A quick book.After about an hour, one person handed in the paper.

All eyes were on the person who submitted the paper. Just now Wen Changju made it clear that you should not be greedy for speed, and there are only two hours to submit the paper. Why is this person so bold and knowingly committed the crime.

Xia Xiang was writing his essay carefully, and when he looked up at the person who submitted the paper, he couldn't help but be surprised. He had a round face and thick eyebrows and big eyes. It was none other than Teng Zhengyuan.

Teng Zhengyuan nodded slightly towards Xia Xiang, and there was a resolute determination in his firm eyes, and Xia Xiang couldn't help but shudder.Thinking of Wang's exhortation, he couldn't help narrowing his eyes and thinking for a while, and continued to dictately write "On Punishment and Rewards for Loyalty and Honesty" that he wrote during the Gongyuan exam.Because it has already been thoroughly cooked in the chest, it is done with a flick.

After I finished writing, I started to cut into the topic of today's palace exam. The title of "Minjian Fu" is not remote or obscure, and the difficulty is moderate.However, if the difficulty is low or medium, it will be more difficult to write new ideas.Xia Xiang pondered for a moment, and finally settled down: "Yunqi Yuansheng, Tianlin Zhaomin..."

It happened that Gao Hai passed by Xia Xiang's side, he glanced at Xia Xiang's question, his eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, thinking that Xia Xiang is indeed a talent, and the first sentence of the question is quite auspicious.

Gao Hai took a few more steps and came quietly behind Zhang Hou. Seeing that Zhang Hou's breaking sentence was "the sky prison is not far away, the people's hearts know it", his eyelids twitched, and he shook his head imperceptibly. .

The Jiangwu Hall is not the Chaohui Hall, and because it is the presiding examination, Wen Changju, Chen Feng, Zhang Zeri, and a few additional reviewers sit behind the copywriting and review the papers.After Teng Zhengyuan's test paper was handed in, Wen Changju didn't even glance at the test paper, a look of awe flashed in his eyes, then he picked up the red pen and stroked Teng Zhengyuan's test paper, and threw it aside as a waste paper.

When the students saw it, they were shocked and their faces were stunned and horrified.

Since Wen Changju wanted to make an example of others, he simply killed them to the end, and said to Chen Feng and Zhang in a low voice: "Teng Zhengyuan will be disqualified from the second and third exams."

There are three court exams, this is the first one.If he is allowed to take the second and third exams, Teng Zhengyuan may still have a chance to turn over.The cancellation of the qualifications for the last two exams is equivalent to Teng Zhengyuan's previous achievements, and the previous provincial exams are also voided. This time, there is no place in the competition, and he can only come back three years later.

All along, as long as those who pass the provincial examination and take part in the palace examination, they will have a ranking, even if they are ranked last, they can be regarded as having a family background.All the examinees looked at each other, but No.1 handed in the paper, and the result was canceled, and the paper was discarded as waste paper without even reading it, which is too unreasonable.

If it was in other places in normal times, all the examinees would definitely fight against each other and fight for the top.It's just that at this moment in the Hall of Lectures on Martial Arts, the emperor is sitting here, who would offend Tianwei?In case one inadvertent word offends the Holy Majesty, not to mention being dismissed from fame, I am afraid that even his wealth and life will be difficult to protect.Therefore, the examiners dared not speak out, but continued to bury their heads in writing.

Not long after, Xia Xiang got up and handed in the test paper for the second time.

Wen Chang raised his eyelids without raising his eyelids, and didn't look at Xia Xiang more, his gaze fell on Xia Xiang's test paper lightly——Different from the provincial exam, which is a dubious exam, the palace exam is no longer dubious—— The muscles in his body twitched a few times suddenly, his eyes were as big as copper bells, his eyes suddenly rolled up, and his eyes shot at Xia Xiang like lightning.

Xia Xiang smiled lightly, bowed slightly, turned and left.After handing in the papers, you have to go out of the hall to rest, and you are not allowed to stay in the hall so as not to disturb other examiners.

Wen Changju's eyes were on Xia Xiang's back, following him like a shadow, and he refused to take it back for a long time. Until Xia Xiang's figure disappeared outside the hall, he took back his eyes as if he had just woken up from a dream, and hurriedly took Xia Xiang's test paper from beginning to end. Read it through, sweat dripping down.

When Sima Zhuan read Lianche's article, he didn't feel sweating. It was because Lianche's article was sonorous and beautiful, and Wen Changju was sweating profusely when he read Xia Xiang's article. The battle of stars in the Han River, but the test papers of the Xia Xiang Palace Examination are exactly the same as the test papers of the Provincial Examination!
Wen Changju turned pale with shock, suppressed the astonishment in his heart, and read Xia Xiang's article again. He read it right, it was indeed Xia Xiang's article during the provincial examination, word for word.He suddenly understood something, his face was pale, without saying a word, he wiped the red pen, and threw Xia Xiang's test paper as a waste paper, and threw it aside.

Chen Feng raised his eyebrows and was about to have a seizure, but Zhang Zeyi quietly pulled his sleeves, so he had to suppress the anger in his heart.Zhang was with a smile on his face, and shook his head meaningfully at Chen Feng.

After Zhang Zexi finished laughing, he asked with concern: "Wen Shangshu, but you are not feeling well?"

Wen Changju shook his head solemnly: "I will not hesitate to do things for the Holy One, even if I am heartbroken. If you are a little sick, what's the point?"

Zhang Hou witnessed the whole process of Xia Xiang being crossed out by Wen Chang after he handed in the papers. He was stunned. He didn't know if he should feel sorry that Xia Xiang was finally on the list and was able to participate in the palace exam, but was again taken away by Wen Changju. Or should I be glad that he wanted to snatch the papers in front of Xia Xiang, but was a step late and escaped?
Just why did Wen Changju pursue Xia Xiang so fiercely?There is no mortal hatred, why do you have to ruin Xia Xiang's future?It was during the palace examination again, the emperor came in person, he dared to be so bold, could it be that there was something hidden?
Zhang Hou thought for a while, and seeing that no one dared to hand in the test papers, he stood up and handed in the test papers.He didn't believe that Wen Changju would even void his test papers. If that was the case, Wen Changju would be crazy.

After Zhang Hou handed in the paper, he intentionally stayed for a while.Seeing that Wen Changju glanced at his test paper expressionlessly, without picking up the red pen to make a stroke, he turned and left in peace.

Subsequently, Shen Bao, Wu Yongwang, Cai Bei and others also submitted papers one after another.

When Zhang Hou came out of the lecture hall, he saw Xia Xiang and Teng Zhengyuan standing on the steps outside the hall, each looking up at the sky, he couldn't help but shook his head, and quickly came to the two of them, explaining that Wen Changju had abolished their test papers. Say.Xia Xiang smiled unhurriedly: "Sure enough, Wen Shangshu still couldn't calm down, it's a pity."

Teng Zhengyuan also had a calm face and was not panicked. He looked up to the sky and smiled coldly: "It's just a guilty conscience. Since he is playing favoritism and cheating, he has tabooed the teachings of sages and sages, and disregarded the laws of the country, the two of us have to "If you want to eliminate evil for the holy pilgrimage, you will Decline and cherish the dying years', risk your life to seek justice for the son of the world!"

"How to get it back?" Although Zhang Hou felt somewhat sympathetic to Xia Xiang's situation, he felt that Xia Xiang and Teng Zhengyuan were too self-confident and ignorant.

Teng Zhengyuan snorted contemptuously: "Please go to Lingyan Pavilion for a while. If a scholar is a scholar of ten thousand households? A scholar can use his sword to bring peace to the world."

Xia Xiang shook his head, just smiled lightly and did not speak.It's useless to talk too much, let's see how things develop in the next step.

Not long after, most of the examinees handed in their papers and discussed among themselves. Chen Feng came out, stood on the steps, and announced the results of the first exam: "Except for Teng Zhengyuan and Xia Xiang, the rest of the examinees are preparing for the second exam. .”

Everyone was in an uproar, and no one noticed that the exam papers of Xia Xiang and Teng Zhengyuan were discarded. After hearing this, many people couldn't believe their ears.Those who participated in the palace test after passing the provincial test were very rare, and the minimum would be a fifth-level jinshi.

Xia Xiang and Teng Zhengyuan suddenly became the center of attention, some comforted, some wanted to know the reason, some laughed, and some were indifferent.Xia Xiang and Teng Zhengyuan turned around and left as if nothing had happened, leaving behind two lonely but free and easy backs of everyone.

At the beginning of the second test, Wen Changju saw that Xia Xiang and Teng Zhengyuan were missing from the test candidates, and an intriguing smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.Gao Hai also smiled slightly, mysterious and meaningful.Chen Feng and Zhang looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

Not long after the exam started, he suddenly heard the sound of "Boom, Boom, Boom" from outside. The sound of the drum was long and dull. The test paper took a piece.

"Who is beating the Dengwen drum?" The majestic voice of the emperor came from behind the gauze curtain, "Bring it up."

"Your Majesty, you are in the palace exam at this time. If you disturb Kao Zi's writing, it is inappropriate..." Wen Changju wanted to stop the emperor, but he gritted his teeth in hatred. He never expected that Xia Xiang and Teng Zhengyuan would play the Dengwen drum. .

The Dengwen drums hung outside the government offices of prefectures and counties can be played directly by the common people to cry for grievances.The Dengwen drum hung outside the court hall can be played by the subjects to remonstrate with the emperor.At the beginning of the Great Xia, Taizu made a rule that whenever the Dengwen drum was played, the emperor must go to court to listen to advice no matter what he was doing.

"The ancestor's rules cannot be broken." The emperor only said a word, and said no more.

Wen Changju knew that the Holy Will had been decided, so he had no choice but to suspend the hall test and have the drummers go up to the hall.Not long after, Xia Xiang and Teng Zhengyuan, led by their servants, came to the Hall of Martial Arts again.

(End of this chapter)