Aspirations

Chapter 67 Longtan Tiger Den
"The crime should be punished." Gao Hai was not polite, and took out the posture of beating the underdog, "This is the first case of fraud in Daxia's [-]-year history, and the chief examiner and his students teamed up to plagiarize the commoner Kaozi. If the test paper is spread out, it will chill the hearts of the students in the world. If you don't kill it, it will not be enough for the common people to be angry, and if you don't kill it, it will not be enough to appease the hearts of the scholars in the world. The minister thought that Wen Changju should be beheaded to the public, and the world should be announced to the world to set an example!"

Wen Changju was so angry that he almost didn't bite an old tooth. Gao Hai used to respect others before and after, but he didn't want to kill him at this time.

"Xiong Shilang, what do you think Wen Changju should be guilty of?" The emperor did not ask Chen Feng, who was an official in the Ministry of Rites with Wen Changju, nor Zhang Zeshi, who was also an examiner, but asked Xiong Shiwang, the minister of officials.

Xia Xiang knew that Xiong Shiwang was the man of the third prince, and his heart skipped a beat. The emperor's question was very meaningful.

"Sacred Lord, although Wen Shangshu has committed a serious crime and has suffered from sage grace, he has served the court for many years and has a heart of remorse. The minister thought that he would be punished for three years and relegated to Lingnan." It seems to be more serious than the dismissal of office. There is always a time for re-opening. Although the Lingnan road is remote and miasma, it is better than returning home.Moreover, Wenchang gave a number of years, and it is impossible to say that soon after his relegation, the emperor softened his heart for a while and recalled to the capital again.

"Chen Qing and Zhang Qing, what do you think?" The emperor's voice was a little calmer than before, and it seemed that his anger had largely subsided.

Chen Feng bent down and said, "Go back to the Holy One, this minister thought...it should be beheaded!"

Zhang Ze is even more straightforward: "Sacred, if you don't kill Wen Changju, you will chill the hearts of scholars all over the world."

The emperor pondered, and after a while: "Xia Xiang, what do you think I should do with Wen Changju?"

All eyes were on Xia Xiang. Xia Xiang was deeply harmed by Wen Changju. If it weren't for Xia Xiang's black list, and there was someone behind him to help him, he would have lost his fame, and he would not have the luck to face the king today. Now, Xia Xiang must want to put Wen Changju to death.

Wen Chang raised his face as pale and looked up at Xia Xiang.Cai Bei's face was ashes, and he leaned on the ground and peeked at Xia Xiang's face.Zhang Hou, Shen Bao, Wu Yongwang and others sitting below also looked at Xia Xiang with their own thoughts, waiting for Xia Xiang's answer.

Xia Xiang's eyes were calm and his face was indifferent, as if the great grievance he suffered was just a passing glance, he took a deep breath, and in the attention and expectation of everyone, he said word by word: "Sir, the students heard about the troubled times. It is righteousness not to kill heroes. In the prosperous world, it is for the sake of benevolence. Daxia established the country with benevolence and righteousness.

"It's a good one who doesn't kill heroes in troubled times, and doesn't kill scholars and officials in prosperous times." The emperor applauded and laughed, "Wenchang imposed a three-year salary penalty and reduced his post to serve the people. Caibei's research field is fraudulent, and no further examinations are allowed within the three subjects. Xia Xiang has outstanding literary talent, The examiner put you in the fifth A, it is unfair, and now you are promoted to the second first. Although Teng Zhengyuan has made a report, he is suspected of disturbing the field of study. ."

Wen Changju collapsed to the ground, shouting long live.Gao Hai took a deep look at Xia Xiang, and also knelt down to thank Huangen.Chen Feng looked at Xia Xiang secretly, with surprise and admiration in his eyes.The corner of Zhang's mouth curled up quietly, a smile that was not a smile.

Due to the poor dragon body of the emperor, the three palace exams originally scheduled, only one set the level.Except for Xia Xiang and Teng Zhengyuan, who were handpicked by the Emperor Jinkou as the Second-Class Scholars on the spot, the rest will not know their ranking until they are passed down.

After leaving the palace, Zhang Hou rushed to Xia Xiang and said, "Brother Xia, since you and Brother Teng are in the top two, it can be seen that there is no hope for the champion, as the elder brother is not talented, this time the champion must be in high school, haha. Let's go to Taiping Residence. Let’s get together for the sake of my brother, to celebrate Brother Xia’s second and first place, and I wish my brother the champion.”

Xia Xiang couldn't bear Zhang Hou's good intentions, and called Shang Shen Bao, Teng Zhengyuan, and Wu Yongwang.Teng Zhengyuan made another appointment with Li Ziwen and Zheng Hao, who had just met, and a group of people went straight to Taipingju.

Lian Ruohan is not in Taiping Residence.

After the three rounds of wine, Zhang Hou drank to half-heart, and asked people to go to the inn to get his champion robe, wear it on his body, dance with his hands, and write a poem on the wall because of his excitement.Xia Xiang tried to persuade him again and again, but he still couldn't persuade him, and finally Zhang Hou got very drunk.

No one noticed that when Zhang Hou was dancing in his champion robe, he was being watched by someone passing by outside. Although he rode by, he only glanced at Zhang Hou, but looked at Zhang Hou's complacent manner. A hint of contempt and contempt flashed across the corner of his mouth.

That night, he entered the palace at night and told the emperor about Zhang Hou's arrogant state. The emperor was furious, thinking that Zhang Hou was indeed appointed as the champion by him. Although he admired Zhang Hou's talent, he did not like his frivolous and arrogant attitude. As a man, he was demoted to the top two, after Xia Xiang and Teng Zhengyuan.Then he ordered a new champion, and the list was released the next day.

If Zhang Hou were to know that his champion was lost because of the King Qing he had taken refuge with, he would have regretted surrendering to the King Qing's mansion.

Three days later, all the candidates gathered in the Yingdian Hall. The emperor was still sitting behind the gauze curtain.

Hou Pingpan is about fifty years old, thin, with slender eyes and a foot-long beard. Standing in front of him, he does not have the prestige of a prime minister, but he has the meaning of being elegant and out of the world.Standing on the eaves of the hall, holding a yellow scroll in his hand, he began to sing the list: "On the 1th day of the autumn month in the fifth year of Duanrui, I will test the tributes of the world. Kneel on the left. No.2 Wu Yongwang, lead the class to the right and kneel later. No.3 Zheng Hao, lead the class to the left and then kneel later.”

Each person sang their name three times in a row, and every time they sang, there were seven guards calling in unison, which was amazing.

Zhang Hou clenched his fists with both hands, and when he heard that the champion was not him, he couldn't believe it, and when he heard that the champion was Shen Bao, he felt even more humiliated and angry.He stood on the right side of Shen Bao, his eyes narrowed into a slit, and he glared angrily at Shen Bao, thinking that it was the first time that his champion robe was worn by Shen Bao, which made Shen Bao become the champion, which is extremely hateful.

Shen Bao couldn't hide the surprise in his heart. When he was called, it was like a dream. He didn't wake up until Xia Xiang pulled his sleeve and reminded him to get out of the queue and bow down.

Later, Hou Pingpan sang the second A.

Xia Xiang ranked No.1 in the second class, Teng Zhengyuan No.2 in the second class, and Zhang Hou No.15 in the second class.Second A sings only once.

After the announcement of the rankings, the emperor gave a banquet to Qionglin Garden.

Xinke Jinshi was given a banquet by the emperor, which was a rule passed down from the time of Taizong.Qionglin Garden was originally located in Lin'an, but after moving the capital to Shangjing, another Qionglin Garden was built in Shangjing, which is more spacious and luxurious than the Qionglin Garden in Lin'an.

After the Qionglin banquet, Zhang Hou clamored to go home and come back to be the champion in three years, but was persuaded by Xia Xiang.In the end, Xia Xiang, Shen Bao, Teng Zhengyuan, and Wu Yongwang took turns to persuade. Because Zhang Hou and Shen Bao had an appointment first, Shen Bao won the champion and asked Zhang Hou to abide by the agreement and obey his arrangement. Zhang Hou finally gave up and reluctantly accepted. Only the reality of the second-class jinshi.

Because of the fraud case in Wenchang Examination Field, Xia Xiang became famous and was praised by scholars all over the world.Xia Xiang, who was dressed in white, brought down the second-rank officials of the current dynasty, and also took the imperial examination of Xia Qingming. All the scholars in the world praised him.Xia Xiang rose to fame and became a role model for countless scholars.

Although Xia Xiang is only No. 1 in the second class, he is even more famous than the number one scholar Shen Bao, and he is in the limelight at the moment. All the high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the capital who have daughters who have not yet left the cabinet want to marry their daughters to Xia Xiang.Fortunately, Lian Ruohan was prepared and asked Xia Xiang to move out of the Quanyou Inn in advance. The people who came to the inn to catch his son-in-law were swept away, and Xia Xiang could not find a place to stay, so he had to return angrily.

However, people who are friends with Xia Xiang still know that Xia Xiang is in Guanxin Pavilion. Xia Xiang entertained congratulatory guests in Guanxin Pavilion for several days in a row. Already have so many friends.Of course, it is also because Shen Bao also lives in Guanxin Pavilion.In Guanxin Pavilion, there is a No. 1 No. [-] in the world, not to mention Xia Xiang, who is famous all over the world, and there is also a champion, who became a famous place in the capital for a while.

The dignitaries want to spend huge sums of money to buy Guanxin Pavilion, in order to be auspicious and festive, but Lian Ruohan politely refuses.However, Xia Xiang praised Lian Ruohan as a business genius, and let him and Shen Bao live for only a few days, and the value of Guanxin Pavilion has more than doubled.Lian Ruohan said that if Guanxin Pavilion was sold at this time, the value would be limited no matter how high it was.Keep it in your hands, and when Xia Xiang and Shen Bao become famous all over the world, the Guanxin Pavilion will be a priceless treasure.

On this day, I just sent away a wave of scholars of the same year who came here because of their fame, and heard the news from the housekeeper that King Qing and King Jian came to visit.

What?In addition to Xia Xiang's surprise, there was also a faint worry. If it was just to see the king's visit, it would be fine, he and King Qing had no intersection. King Qing came to Guanxin Pavilion with the respect of the king, and he must have great intentions.

Xia Xiang did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly greeted him outside. Outside the door, King Qing and Wang Zheng were chatting and laughing, waiting for him to greet him.He hurriedly stepped forward, crossed his hands and saluted: "His Royal Highness Qing, see His Royal Highness, I will greet you late, and I hope you forgive me."

King Qing smiled slightly: "No need to be too polite."

Seeing the king, he waved his hand impatiently: "Xia Xiang, you don't have to be polite, come in quickly, this king has something to talk to you about."

When you see Wang, what can you say to him?Xia Xiang was full of doubts, but he didn't ask any more questions, and hurriedly led King Qing and King Jian to the living room.As soon as he was seated, Wang suddenly asked, "Xia Xiang, I have a good place, would you like to go?"

After the roll call in the palace examination, there is no need to pass the official examination, and the official can be directly awarded.The top three in the first grade, namely the champion, the second place and the third flower will be awarded the seventh grade editor and join the Hanlin Academy.A few years later, after leaving the Imperial Academy, he would go to the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, or the Ministry of Work.And the second-class jinshi background is usually sent to the county magistrate.

Xia Xiang is No.1 in the second class, and his destination is either one of the six departments, or he is expected to work in Shangjing.However, because Xia Xiang's writings won the emperor's heart, it is unknown whether the emperor wanted to keep Xia Xiang by his side to draft the imperial edict or have other appointments.Therefore, in the past few days, besides receiving guests, Xia Xiang is also waiting for appointments.

Although King Jian is a one-character king, he is on an equal footing with King Qing, but he has only a title and no real position. It is not as good as the three kings, Xingwang, who is in charge of the Ministry of Personnel.Because he came up and mentioned where he was going, Xia Xiang couldn't help but be surprised.

"Seeing that His Royal Highness is concerned about you, and you will keep it in your heart." Xia Xiang paused slightly, and saw King Qing smiling indifferently, and he was even more concerned, "Is His Royal Highness King Jing healthy?"

King Qing laughed and strengthened his judgment. Xia Xiang is a wise man, and he knows how to advance and retreat. He did not receive Wang's words because he knew that the king had no right to intervene in the affairs of the Ministry of Officials.

Seeing the king, he thought that Xia Xiang didn't understand what he said, and grabbed Xia Xiang's sleeve: "Xia Xiang, I'm asking you, there is a good place that is vacant, do you want to go?"

Xia Xiang was helpless, seeing that the king's intervention in the affairs of the Ministry of Officials was arrogant. He was also a dignified prince, how could he be so gross, not to mention that His Royal Highness King Qing was on the side?
"I don't dare to ask you to listen to me." Xia Xiang had no choice but to say, "Let's listen to the appointment of the Ministry of Personnel."

"What are you waiting for the appointment of the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Personnel is in charge of Uncle Three Kings, it's strange that he can arrange for you to go to a good place." Seeing that the king thought that Xia Xiang was not enlightened, he hated that iron was not steel, "You have overthrown you. One of the generals of the three kings, Wen Changju was dismissed from office, and Gao Hai took over as Minister of Rites. The three kings hated you so much that he wanted to send you to Qiongzhou as an official. Where is Qiongzhou? Official, if you are a new jinshi, if you are really sent to Qiongzhou as an official, how is it different from exile?"

If the three princes really put him in Qiongzhou, it would be a poisonous plan, which would make it difficult for him to argue.

"I don't know where is the good place that His Royal Highness Jian Wang said?" Xia Xiang naturally didn't want to go to the remote Qiongzhou land. Seeing that King Qing always smiled but didn't say a word, he couldn't help but want to learn some news from Jian Wang's mouth.

"Honglu Temple." Seeing Wang laughing, he patted Xia Xiang on the shoulder condescendingly. He was about the same age as Xia Xiang, but pretended to be mature and said, "This king and the minister of officials Xiong Shiwang have agreed, you Ren Hong The master book of Lu Temple, is the seventh grade."

It was a preferential treatment for a jinshi who was born in the seventh grade, but it was not Xia Xiang's wish to go to Honglu Temple, and it was also the position of the master bookkeeper.The clerk was a civil official in Daxia, and was entangled in many affairs, making it difficult to display his talents.

Before the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the master book was very powerful because he was a relative of the chief.In the shogunate of the ministers who commanded the army and opened the government below the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the master book often participated in confidential affairs and was in charge of the affairs of the government.Xi Zouchi used to be the master book of Huan Wen, and people at that time said, "Reading Confucian books for 30 years is not as good as learning the master book once."This is the time when the master's power is at its peak.It's just that in Daxia, the master book is only in charge of documents and is responsible for daily affairs.

Seeing that the king continued to say triumphantly: "Master Xia, don't underestimate the master of Honglu Temple. Although the official is small and has little power, it has great benefits, such as being able to travel all over the world, being able to travel overseas, and being able to travel abroad. When you meet foreign envoys, you can travel around the world. At that time, this king will accompany you on an envoy to travel all over the world, and enjoy the beauty of the world, wouldn’t it be fun?”

It turned out that Xia Xiang couldn’t help laughing and crying when he saw Wang Bao’s selfishness. He didn’t expect Wang to be a person who likes to travel the mountains and waters. Daxia has a vast territory. , With the respect of the prince, it is a rare temperament.

"Thanks to His Highness Jian Wang's kindness, he is just following his life ambitions, not touring mountains and waters, but to serve the court." Xia Xiangwan refused the kindness of Jian Wang, thinking that Qing Wang came here, not just to accompany him to see the king, he must Something happened, but King Qing never said a word. Could it be that he was waiting for some time?
"To make friends and spread the reputation of Great Xia is not to serve the court? A joke. In your opinion, when Zhaojun went out of the fortress and Princess Wencheng married to the Western Regions, it is not serving the court? Xia Xiang, you are the No. 1 Jinshi in the second class. , how can you be so superficial?" Seeing Wang shook his head sadly, then turned to King Qing and said, "Uncle Si Wang, has this king misjudged someone?"

King Qing stood with his hands behind his back, glanced at Xia Xiang casually, and smiled indifferently: "Nephew Wang, Xia Xiang is neither superficial nor does he want to join Honglu Temple, but he has already made up his mind."

"What cares? He said it doesn't matter where he is going to be an official." Seeing Wang squinted at Xia Xiang.

"It doesn't matter what he said, the problem is, it doesn't matter what you said, nephew Wang." King Qing said confidently, "According to this king's opinion, the Ministry of Officials will not let Xia Xiang stay in the capital as an official, nor will he Let him go to Qiongzhou far away, but will..."

"What will happen?" Seeing Wang Da was puzzled.

"I'm afraid that I will choose a county that is not far or near to be an official." Xia Xiang knew that in the eyes of the third prince and Hou Pingpan, he must be the first person to suppress. If it is far away from Qiongzhou, it will be too obvious. .He was placed in the Honglu Temple as the chief clerk. Although the official was small and light, after all, he was in the capital, and he would inevitably be missed by the emperor. Therefore, the best way to deal with it is to choose a small county as an official and wait for three years for evaluation. If it is rated as poor, he will have no hope of promotion in the future.

Daxia County is divided into Chi, Ji, Shichi, Shiji, Wang, Tseng, Upper, Middle, Middle Lower, Lower Ten.The counties in and around the capital city and the capital city are divided into Chi, Ji, Cichi, and Ciji from [-] to [-] grades. The other [-] to [-] grades are divided according to the number of household registrations. The above counties are Ninxian counties, the counties with more than [-] counties are Shang counties, the counties with over one thousand counties are Zhong counties, the counties with over [-] counties are middle counties, and the counties with less than [-] counties are counties.

In Xia County with less than [-] households, even if it has the ability to reach the sky, it is difficult to achieve political achievements, and there will be no praise in the official examination.

"Haha." King Qing clapped his palms and laughed, "Mr. Xia Lang is very interesting, but in my opinion, the official department is not so harsh. The No.1 Jinshi was born in the second class, and he was appointed as an official in Zhong County. It can barely be said.”

The housekeeper Liansheng came in to report: "Xia Langjun, Xiong Shiwang, the minister of personnel, is visiting."

Xia Xiang did not expect Xiong Shiwang to come to the door in person, hurriedly pleaded guilty to King Qing and King Jian, and welcomed him out.After chatting with Xiong Shiwang a few words, he led Xiong Shiwang to the living room.

When Xiong Shi saw King Qing and King King really here, he couldn't help being secretly surprised. After seeing King Qing and King King, he was not polite, and directly issued the official letter of death.

It was prepared by the Ministry of Officials and published on the banknotes of the Shangshu Province, and the officials were used for the appointment of magistrates and magistrates.It is said that the appointment of the magistrate does not require Xiong Shiwang to personally dispatch, but Xiong Shiwang heard that King Qing and King Jian met with Xia Xiang in Guanxin Pavilion, so he decided to come and find out in person.

"Xiong Shilang, where did the Ministry of Officials send Xia Xiang?" Seeing the king, he couldn't help but wonder, "This king told you before, did you do it?"

Xiong Shiwang looked ashamed: "Seeing His Royal Highness, the lower officials are incompetent. I wanted to send Xia Xiang to Honglu Temple, but it was a step too late. Xia Xiang's appointment has been drafted by Chai Shangshu and handed over to Shangshu Province to be recorded on the banknotes. Approved."

"Ah? Older Chai Shiye has always handled affairs like water, why did he suddenly become agile?" Seeing Wang first, he was startled, and then he asked again, "Where did Xia Xiang go?"

"Know the true Ding County." Xiong Shiwang replied.

"Zhending County..." Seeing Wang was stunned for a moment, he remembered, "It is more than [-] miles away from Shangjing, it is a sub-chi county. The magistrate of the seventh-grade sub-chi county is indeed a little stronger than the head book of Honglu Temple. Strange thing, how could the Ministry of Personnel appoint you to be an official in Zhending County, you shouldn't, you shouldn't."

"Hebei West Road, Zhending Prefecture, Zhending County..." When King Qing heard it, he was also surprised for a while, thought for a moment, and suddenly smiled implicitly, "Zhending County, a good place, a good strategy, a dragon pool and a tiger's den. place!"

(End of this chapter)